Uncommon cause of fecal impaction: rectal phytobezoar due to seeds

Currently, the need for manual disimpaction of fecalomas under general anesthesia is exceptional, as this condition is usually managed orally with polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based laxatives. However, in certain cases, manual extraction becomes necessary. The aim of this article is to describe the case of a child with a rectal phytobezoar caused by sunflower seeds, in whom oral disimpaction was ineffective, requiring manual extraction under general anesthesia in the operating room. A systematic review of cases published between 1980 and 2018 concluded that manual extraction under general anesthesia is the treatment of choice for rectal seed bezoars, as it minimizes patient discomfort.