Because the human gastrointestinal tract is unable to digest human hair, the trichobezoar may have to be treated surgically. This involves removal of the mass by careful extraction from the stomach and duodenum. If the mass is small enough it can be removed endoscopically. Once the mass surpasses greater than 20 centimeters, it must be removed by gastrotomy. It is recommended that general anesthesia with intubation be used when removing the hairball in order to protect the throat from any damage. Patients usually also require psychiatric evaluation and treatment due to the association with impulse control disorders, especially trichotillomania. Long-term follow up as well as psychiatric consultation is also recommended to prevent the event from repeating.
Rapunzel syndrome
Pretzel syndrome
Nezelof syndrome
Beare–Stevenson cutis gyrata syndrome
Van Wyk and Grumbach syndrome
Johnson–McMillin syndrome
Franceschetti–Klein syndrome
Irlen syndrome