title: Laparoscopic removal of a large gastric trichobezoar in a 4-year-old girl.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Standard treatment of large gastric bezoars not amenable to medical or endoscopic management is surgical removal. The optimal operative approach, laparotomy versus laparoscopy, is a contested subject. Though laparoscopic removal has been described, it remains a relatively new technique for surgical management with outcome literature limited to case reports. In addition, currently described laparoscopic techniques often involve limited midline laparotomy incisions or >3 cm extensions of port sites.
  
  
  METHODS
  The following describes the case of a 4-year-old girl with a large gastric trichobezoar.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The gastric trichobezoar was successfully removed through a 12-mm left lower quadrant trocar incision cosmetically hidden within a skin crease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case, along with accumulating literature, supports the use of laparoscopy to treat large gastric bezoars.
authors.affiliation: The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cintolo
authors.forename: Dana A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Telem
authors.forename: Celia M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Divino
authors.forename: Edward H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Midulla
mesh_terms: D001630:Bezoars / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed