ABSTRACT
The removal of trichobezoars of the stomach in children is discussed. This disease occurs as a rule in individuals with mental or some borderline abnormality which is attended by trichophagy and usually requires prolonged treatment. This determines the high probability of recurrent trichobezoar. With each repeated operation on the stomach in such cases the techniques become more and more difficult, injurious, and is a risk for the patient. All the known methods of endoscopic removal of bezoars cannot be used to remove trichobezoars because of their strength. The authors suggest a new endoscopic method by means of which trichobezoars of any size can be removed. It was successfully applied in the treatment of two patients with this disease who were thus free of an injurious operative intervention.
