According to information from Mong Cai Regional General Hospital - Facility 2, on December 26, 2025, the child was admitted to the hospital in a state of severe malnutrition, weighing only 13kg, prolonged abdominal pain, poor eating, and noticeable weight loss.
Through clinical examination and gastrointestinal endoscopy, doctors discovered that in a child's stomach there is a large hair follicle, about 5 x 7cm, tightly adhered, posing a high risk of obstruction, ulcers and stomach perforation if not treated promptly.
After careful consultation, the doctors agreed on an endoscopic plan to minimize invasion, reduce risk and shorten recovery time for the patient.
During the intervention, the team performed endoscopy and removed the hair bun completely from the stomach safely, without complications, and without open surgery.
After the procedure, the patient's condition stabilized, eating and drinking returned to normal and continued to be monitored and cared for at the hospital.
According to doctors, the above case is related to Rapunzel's syndrome - a rare psychological disorder in which patients have hair-splitting and hair-eating behaviors.
This syndrome is common in girls, especially those before grade 1. If not detected early and treated promptly, the disease can lead to many dangerous complications such as intestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal perforation, gastrointestinal bleeding, peritonitis, life-threatening.
The success of the intervention not only helped the patient overcome danger but also affirmed the professional capacity, the ability to deploy and master high techniques in the field of gastrointestinal endoscopy of Mong Cai Regional General Hospital - Facility 2, contributing to reducing the load on the upper level and improving the quality of medical examination and treatment in the area.
