Intestinal obstruction due to bezoars: a retrospective clinical study

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Procedures
• Digestive System Disorders

Background:

• Bezoars, concretions formed in the gastrointestinal tract, can cause rare but serious intestinal obstructions.
• Phytobezoars, composed of plant matter, are the most common type, often affecting the jejunum.
• Previous abdominal surgery can complicate diagnosis and treatment of bezoar obstructions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare surgical outcomes for bezoar-induced intestinal obstructions.
• To identify factors influencing the choice of surgical procedure for bezoar removal.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 62 patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery for bezoars.
• Comparison of preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative data between patients treated with and without enterotomy.
• Assessment of complications associated with different surgical techniques.

Main Results:

• Phytobezoars were the predominant type, with the jejunum being the most frequent location.
• Milking was used in 41.9% of cases, while enterotomy was performed in 37%.
• Although enterotomy cases showed a trend towards more complications, the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.553).

Conclusions:

• Previous abdominal surgery presents diagnostic challenges in bezoar obstruction cases.
• Bezoar location and physical characteristics are crucial for surgical decision-making.
• Enterotomy should be considered when indicated, rather than rigidly adhering to the milking procedure.