Intestinal obstruction due to phytobezoars

Seven adults and four children with phytobezoar obstruction to the small bowel were reported. All adult patients had undergone previous laparotomies, six of which were gastric operations. Phytobezoar obstruction was not suspected in any of the adult patients and surgery was necessary to relieve the obstruction. Abnormal gastric function may predispose phytobezoars, and surgeons should be aware of the possibility in patients with previous gastric surgery. The children had been previously healthy, but all had a history of eating an excessive amount of fruit or seeds before the onset of symptoms. The obstruction was found to be incomplete and could be relieved by conservative treatment, including the use of colonic washouts. In children with intestinal obstruction a good dietary history should lead to the correct diagnosis so that surgery may be avoided.