A “terrifying” surprise inside the stomach of a Lebanese patient… How did that happen?

In a surgery that may be unique in the world, an “incredible” surprise occurred at Baalbek Governmental Hospital, affiliated to the North Bekaa Governorate.

This delicate surgery was described as the strangest following it was crowned with success, as a team of Lebanese doctors managed to remove a huge mass of hair following closing the entire stomach of a 19-year-old woman.

In an interview with “Sky News Arabia”, the director of the hospital, Abbas Shukr, said that “the young woman, the daughter of Baalbek, came to the hospital suffering severe pain as a result of her stomach being completely blocked.”

He added, “During the clinical examination, it was found that there was a clear swelling above the stomach, and a large mass in the area of ​​the stomach and the transverse colon, and upon imaging, a massive swelling appeared from the entrance to the stomach to its exit.”

Shukr continued, “We underwent a quick surgery, and upon opening the abdomen, we had a mass of hair that took the shape of the entire stomach. The mass that we knew was caused by the girl’s perseverance in eating her hair several years ago was removed,” revealing that “the patient’s condition is stable, and she is in good health.” .

And one of the doctors who treated the patient stated that “the huge amount of hair that was accumulating in her stomach is unbelievable,” stressing that he had not seen anything like it throughout his 40-year career.

rare behavioral disease

University professor and social researcher Wadea Al-Amouni told Sky News Arabia, “Such behavior is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder and psychological disorders that accompany the individual, and make him obsessed with eating his hair, so it controls his consciousness and becomes a normal behavior that can only get rid of through treatment. Psychological specialists.

Al-Amouni added, “There are several causes for this rare behavioral disease, including genetics, which are directly related to a defect in the vital functions of the brain and nervous system, and social environmental ones related to the issue of abuse, neglect or beatings.”

She also pointed out that violence that is practiced on a child sometimes and affects the psychological framework of forming his personality may lead to him eating his hair, and “therefore, this type of obsessive-compulsive disorder becomes hostile compensation for what he was exposed to in his childhood, and a neurological condition that needs serious treatment because it leads to harm and death.” sometimes”.

It is noteworthy that experts described this behavior as “compulsive eating of hair”, and that there are only 90 known cases worldwide.

Health data indicates that eating hair is included in the DMD and OCD, a series of repetitive, body-focused behaviors such as nail biting and lip biting.

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