Trichobezoars (hair ball) are usually located in the stomach, but may extend through the pylorus into the duodenum and small bowel (Rapunzel syndrome). They are almost always associated with trichotillomania and trichophagia or other psychiatric disorders. In the literature several treatment options are proposed, including removal by conventional laparotomy, laparoscopy and endoscopy. We present our experience with four patients and provide a review of the recent literature. According to our experience and in line with the published results, conventional laparotomy is still the treatment of choice. In addition, psychiatric consultation is necessary to prevent relapses.

No abstract

No abstract

Femoral artery closure devices are increasingly used after percutaneous arterial interventions to obtain hemostasis at the puncture site. Their efficacy and advantages in patient comfort are established. Nevertheless they can cause their own specific complications. In a five month's period we had to treat four patients with sudden onset invalidating claudication after the use of an Angio-Seal closure device. Malpositioning of the device led to the ischemic complications. We describe and illustrate the pre- and peroperative findings and the treatment. Interventionalists should monitor and register ischemic complications following the use of puncture site closure devices in order to try and minimize these. The occurrence of few serious complications can outweigh the relative small benefits these devices offer.