Gastric trichobezoars are commonly observed in young women with trichotillomania and trichophagia. We encountered an 8-year-old girl who had trichotillomania and trichophagia with abdominal pain and a mass, which was diagnosed as a large gastric trichobezoar. On physical examination, a huge, firm nontender mobile mass was palpated in her epigastrium. An upper gastrointestinal series and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed a large mass in the stomach. Endoscopic removal was tried but failed. Laparoscopic removal was therefore performed. The trichobezoar was successfully retrieved through a gastrotomy and removed through an extended umbilical trocar incision. This case demonstrates that laparoscopic removal of large gastric trichobezoars is feasible and safe without a large abdominal incision.

Two cases of trichobezoar with unusual presentation in female children are described. The first case is a 7-year-old female with a 3-day history of abdominal pain, obstipation, and emesis. She developed intestinal obstruction and showed double bezoars in the stomach and intestine respectively. She had been in a habit of biting or sucking hairs before sleeping from infancy until 5 years of age. The other patient is a 6-year-old girl referred for an epigastric mass, emotional disturbance and trichotillomania. In spite of the psychological treatment, 4 laparotomies were necessary due to repeated recurrences.