Lithobezoar and Phytobezoar Causing Intestinal Obstruction: A Report of Two Cases

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Case Reports

Background:

• Bezoars are rare gastrointestinal concretions of undigested material.
• They can manifest with diverse symptoms, from abdominal pain to acute obstruction or bleeding.
• Preoperative diagnosis typically relies on imaging studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present two distinct cases of bezoars requiring surgical intervention.
• To illustrate management strategies for lithobezoars and phytobezoars.
• To highlight successful surgical outcomes in complex bezoar cases.

Main Methods:

• Case 1: Laparotomy, gastrotomy for lithobezoar removal, and gastrojejunostomy for duodenal stricture bypass.
• Case 2: Laparotomy with resection of the jejunal segment affected by phytobezoar and end-to-end anastomosis.
• Both cases involved preoperative diagnosis via imaging and surgical treatment.

Main Results:

• Successful surgical removal of duodenal lithobezoars and jejunal phytobezoar.
• Resolution of gastric outlet obstruction and jejunal obstruction, respectively.
• Both patients experienced uncomplicated postoperative recovery.

Conclusions:

• Surgical intervention, including removal and bypass procedures, is effective for managing complex bezoars.
• Prompt surgical treatment leads to favorable outcomes and recovery.
• Bezoar management requires tailored surgical approaches based on type and location.