Doctors at Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, successfully performed a rare surgery to remove a large bundle of hair, grass, and shoelaces from the stomach and intestines of a 7-year-old boy from Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh.
The child, Shubham, had been suffering from severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and rapid weight loss for two months. After treatment at a private hospital in Madhya Pradesh failed, his family shifted him to Ahmedabad.
Complex Surgery at Civil Hospital
A CT scan and endoscopy revealed an unusual mass lodged in his stomach and intestines. A team of specialists performed an exploratory laparotomy, extracting the mass — a condition medically known as a trichobezoar.
Post-surgery, the boy was not allowed to eat or drink for six days. On the seventh day, a dye test confirmed the operation’s success. Doctors said the mass developed due to his habit of swallowing non-food items such as hair and grass. He is now receiving psychological counseling to overcome the habit and prevent recurrence.
What Is Trichobezoar?
Civil Hospital doctors explained that trichobezoar — a collection of ingested hair and indigestible material in the stomach — is extremely rare in children, with a reported incidence of only 0.3 to 0.5 percent. If left untreated, it can block the stomach and intestines, becoming life-threatening.
Medical experts advise parents to stay alert to unusual eating behaviors in children, noting that early intervention can prevent severe complications.
