<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <body>
    <textarea id="t"></textarea>
    <script>
      document.getElementById("t").
        appendChild(document.createTextNode("abcdefgh"));
      document.getElementById("t").appendChild(document.createTextNode("ijkl"));
      // Flush reflow
      document.body.offsetWidth;
      document.getElementById("t").
        removeChild(document.getElementById("t").lastChild);
    </script>
  </body>
</html>