Endoscopic lithotripsy combined with drug lithotripsy vs. drug lithotripsy for the treatment of phytobezoars: analysis of 165 cases

AIM

To analyze efficacy of endoscopic lithotripsy combined with drug lithotripsy as compared with drug lithotripsy for the treatment of phytobezoars.

METHODS

We collected and evaluated case records of 165 patients with phytobezoars from 2014 to 2023. And we analyzed demographic and clinical characteristics, imaging features, endoscopic features, complications of phytobezoars, and compared efficacy between endoscopic lithotripsy combined with drug lithotripsy (Group A) and drug lithotripsy (sodium bicarbonate combined with proton pump inhibitor) (Group B).

RESULTS

The median age of patients with phytobezoars was 67.84 ± 4.286 years old. Abdominal pain was the most common symptom and peptic ulcers (67.5%) were the most common complication. Bezoar-induced ulcers were more frequent in the gastric angle. The success rate of phytobezoars vanishing in Group A and Group B were similar (92.3% vs. 85.1% within 48 h, 98.7% vs. 97.7% within a week), while the average hospitalization period, average hospitalization cost, second endoscopy rate, and average endoscopic operation time were significantly lower in patients in Group B than in Group A.

CONCLUSION

Drug lithotripsy is the preferred effective and safe treatment option for phytobezoars. We advise that an endoscopy should be completed after 48 h for drug lithotripsy.

Afferent loop obstruction induced by undigested food (phytobezoar) treated through endoscopic fragmentation with biopsy forceps: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Afferent loop obstruction (ALO) can occur as a complication of gastrectomy with Billroth II or Roux-en-Y reconstruction. Conventionally, emergent surgery was performed for most cases, while endoscopic procedures for elective cases have been reported more recently. We report a unique case of ALO caused by a phytobezoar that was successfully treated by endoscopic procedures.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 76-year-old female patient presented with epigastric pain for several hours after dinner. The patient had a history of distal gastrectomy with Roux-Y reconstruction for gastric cancer at age 62. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated evident dilation of the duodenum and common bile duct, and detected a bezoar at the jejunojujunal anastomosis site, indicating that the ALO was induced by the bezoar. Upper endoscopy visualized undigested food formation stuck at the anastomosis site, and it was successfully dislodged by endoscopic fragmentation using biopsy forceps. After the procedure, the abdominal symptoms subsided, and the patient was discharged on the fourth day.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Bezoar-induced ALO is rare. In this case, CT helped diagnose the ALO induced by the bezoar. In recent times, there has been a rise in endoscopic interventions for ALO, and there are some reports of bezoar-induced small bowel obstruction being treated endoscopically. Therefore, a subsequent endoscopic examination was performed, confirming the presence of a phytobezoar and leading to a less invasive endoscopic fragmentation treatment in this case.

CONCLUSION

This is a unique case report of phytobezoar-induced ALO treated by endoscopic fragmentation of undigested food, providing a beneficial treatment option.

Case Report: Phytobezoar Causing Gastric Outlet Obstruction as a Late Complication After Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch

Case report of a phytobezoar causing gastric outlet obstruction as a late complication after biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, review of the literature and discussion of bezoars as a differential diagnosis in patients after bariatric surgery presenting with signs of intestinal obstruction.

Phytobezoar: A train can hide another

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A very rare cause of acute intestinal obstruction without diagnostic peculiarities.

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The patient's particular profile and his past medical history should mainly guide the diagnosis.

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The abdominal CT scan can improve the diagnosis, but it should not delay management.

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Exploring the entire digestive tract intraoperatively is an imperative procedure that can be life-saving.

Introduction and importance

Acute bowel obstruction is a life-threatening condition; late or incomplete management worsens the prognosis. Bezoars are a rare etiology of this disease, and the diagnosis can be confusing. This study aims to present and discuss a very rare case of concomitant bezoars.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 22-year-old male with a history of mental retardation who was admitted to the emergency department for acute intestinal obstruction with diffuse abdominal guarding. Laboratory findings revealed a biological inflammatory syndrome and an electrolyte imbalance. The abdominal X-ray was without abnormalities. Intraoperatively, a phytobezoar in the jejunum was initially discovered. However, the entire digestive tract's meticulous exploration discovered a concomitant vegetable bezoar in the stomach.

Clinical discussion

Phytobezoar obstruction is very rare and usually located in the distal small bowel, related to the reduced intraluminal diameter, the decreased mobility, and the higher water absorption in this portion. The clinical presentation is non-specific and reflects acute intestinal obstruction in the majority of cases. The abdominal CT-scan is useful for diagnosis. However, Surgeons should not delay the intervention until they recognize the etiology preoperatively because it is not always obvious. Besides, surgeons should explore the entire gastrointestinal tract during the intervention; a second phytobezoars' location is undoubtedly exceptional but exists, as evidenced by our case.

Conclusion

When phytobezoar obstruction, urgent care is required, and the intraoperative exploration of the entire digestive tract is a simple gesture with capital importance. It allows to prevent avoidable complications, especially a second surgery.

Phytobezoar: An unusual cause of small bowel obstruction

Phytobezoars are concretions of indigested fruit and vegetables fibers in the gastrointestinal tract. The past of gastric surgery is most common risk factor of phytobezoar. We present the case of a 39-year-old female was admitted to the emergency department and who presented with small bowel obstruction due to phytobezoar, her past medical history was marqued by truncal vagotomy and simple suture recurrent perforated gastric ulcer 15 years earlier. Her postoperative recovery was uneventful.

Phytobezoar-induced small bowel obstruction in an elderly patient undergoing dialysis: a case report

A phytobezoar is defined as an accumulation of poorly digested fruit and vegetable fibers in the gastrointestinal tract. Phytobezoar-induced small bowel obstruction is an uncommon entity and is usually removed surgically. We herein describe an elderly man undergoing dialysis who developed a phytobezoar because of excessive consumption of high-fiber fruits and inappropriate chewing. His potential predisposing factors were dialysis-related lifestyle changes, reduced activity levels, fluid restriction, and gastrointestinal motility dysfunction; however, he had no history of gastric surgery. The patient’s clinical history and characteristic imaging features aided in the diagnosis. He underwent medical treatment, and his recovery was uneventful. This case highlights the importance of an awareness of phytobezoar-induced small bowel obstruction in patients at increased risk of developing bezoars and demonstrates that this condition can occur in the absence of previous gastric surgery. We believe that elderly patients undergoing dialysis are at increased risk of developing bezoars. Excessive consumption of a strictly fibrous diet and insufficient chewing exacerbate the risk. A detailed dietary history and imaging features can aid in early diagnosis, leading to appropriate medical or surgical care. Surgical treatment is not inevitable in all cases. Individualized dietary suggestions in these patients are important for effective preventive control.

Ileal bezoar causing bowel obstruction mimicking an internal hernia in a patient with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

We presented a case of a 64-year-old female patient with a history of gastric bypass that presented with bowel obstruction due to a bezoar. She arrived at the emergency department, referring to severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Abdominal X-ray reported gastric distention and hydro-air levels. CT scan reported swirling of the mesentery vessels and a collapsed intestinal loop, mimicking an internal hernia. Laparotomy was accomplished, which shows obstruction at 60 cm from the ileocecal valve. An enterolithotomy was performed, and a 6 × 6 cm phytobezoar was extracted. The patient had a satisfactory postoperative outcome, discharging her home on the fourth postoperative day. On a 12 month-follow up, the patient is doing well with no further complications. Gastric bypass continues to be one of the most performed bariatric procedures with low complication rates. It is important to note that not all intestinal obstructions in postoperative bariatric surgeries are due to internal hernias or adhesions. The differential diagnosis of intestinal obstruction due to bezoar must be present in patients who underwent bariatric surgery. Nutritional counseling is essential for the follow-up of patients, emphasizing fluid intake and slow chewing, as well as the use of absorbable materials for suture during the surgery.

Giant phytobezoar; an unusual cause of gastric outlet obstruction: A case report with literature review

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Phytobezoar is described as an impacted indigested or incompletely digested vegetable and fruit fibers.

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Bezoar is a rare cause of gastric outlet obstruction. Being multiple and giant is even rarer.

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The aim of this study is to report a case of unusual gastric outlet obstruction by two giant bezoars.

Introduction

Phytobezoar which is described as an undigested or incompletely digested food. It is an odd cause of gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). The aim of this study is to present and discuss a case of GOO caused by multiple giant bezoars.

Case report

A 24-year-old female, presented with abdominal pain and vomiting (non-bilious) with negative past history. Examination and investigations revealed multiple giant bezoars requiring emergent surgical intervention. An exploratory laparotomy was conducted. Two giant bezoars were palpated in the stomach and removed through an anterior gastrotomy.

Discussion

Bezoars are regarded as rare benign causes of GOO. Bezoars can present with vomiting, nausea, and/or symptoms of GOO. Predisposing risk factors include delayed gastric emptying (as in case of diabetic mellitus) vagotomy, partial gastrectomy pyloroplasty, peptic ulcer disease, chronic gastritis, Crohn’s disease, and carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract. The current case had phytobezoar without any known risk factor.

Conclusion

GOO caused by phytobezoar can occur in patients without history of previous gastric surgery or diabetes mellitus. Urgent laparotomy may be indicated.

Jejunal obstruction due to a phytobezoar: A case report and review of the literature

Jejunal obstruction due to a phytobezoar is clinically rare. A male patient was admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain. He suffered a very threatening process from diagnosis to surgery. Considering that this is a rare complication caused by common clinical diseases and is therefore vulnerable to delayed diagnosis and treatment, this case has good guiding significance for clinical gastroenterologists.

Small bowel obstruction due to a phytobezoar thirty years after Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy: A case report

INTRODUCTION

We present a case of a delayed small bowel obstruction due to a phytobezoar in a patient with a previous surgical history.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 73-year-old male patient presented with vomiting and obstipation for a week. His past surgical history included a Roux-en-y gastrojejunostomy due to a surgical management for peptic ulcer disease 30 years ago. Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated a dilation of small bowel with air-fluid levels. He was diagnosed with acute bowel obstruction. On exploration, we found a compressible mass 150 cm from the jejunojejunostomy anastomosis. An enterotomy was performed and the mass was milked back. It was a phytobezoar. After the bezoar removal, his complaints relieved completely.

DISCUSSION

Small bowel obstruction after abdominal surgery (Roux-en-y gastrojejunostomy) is a complication that may present early or late for many causes. One of the unusual underlying causes is phytobezoar.

CONCLUSION

This case aims to raise awareness of phytobezoar as a cause of small bowel obstruction even in delayed presentation.

Small Bowel Obstruction Caused by Dried Persimmon

Dried persimmon is a well-known dried fruit in Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, and China. Small bowel obstruction caused by phytobezoar is a rare but interesting pathogenesis that accounts for 2–4% of all small bowel obstructions. We present the case of an 87-year-old female who suffered from small bowel obstruction caused by ingestion of a huge, dried astringent persimmon. She was initially treated conservatively, but removal by enterotomy was performed after relief failed to be achieved with conservative therapy.

Phytobezoar impaction in a Meckel's diverticulum; a rare cause of bowel obstruction: Case report and review of literature

INTRODUCTION

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, occurring in 1-3% of the general population. The most common complication of Meckel's diverticulum is intestinal obstruction. In this report, we describe a rare cause of intestinal obstruction due to Meckel's; the phytobezoar. After thorough literature review, the authors found about ten individual reports of the same topic. In all these cases, diagnosis was established intra-operatively.

CASE PRESENTATION

A forty-seven-year old male presented to the emergency department with a one-day history of abdominal pain associated with vomiting and constipation. Physical examination diagnostic tests revealed features of intestinal obstruction.

DISCUSSION

The lifetime risk of complications in patients with a Meckel'sdiverticulum is usually small and occurs only in up to 4%. In adults' intestinal obstruction is the most common complication (40%).

CONCLUSION

Complicated Meckel's diverticulum can have different clinical presentations and can cause bowel obstruction. An association with bezoars impaction is possible and it should be suspected in adult patients presenting with bowel obstruction of unknown causes especially those with high vegetarian diet.

Intestinal obstruction due to phytobezoars: An update

The term bezoar refers to an intraluminal mass in the gastrointestinal system caused by the accumulation of indigestible ingested materials, such as vegetables, fruits, and hair. Bezoars are responsible for 0.4%-4% of cases of mechanical intestinal obstruction. The clinical findings of bezoar-induced ileus do not differ from those of mechanical intestinal obstruction due to other causes. The appearance and localization of bezoars can be established with various imaging methods. Treatment of choice depends on the localization of the bezoar which makes the clinical findings.

Removal of a Giant Rectosigmoid Phytobezoar without Laparotomy

Bezoars are the uncommon result of ingestion of indigestible or poorly digestible substances. Phytobezoars are the most common bezoars in children. Small bowel obstruction, especially of the terminal ileum, is the most common complication. Colonic obstruction is rare. Most reviewed intestinal phytobezoars with obstruction necessitate laparotomy with enterotomy. Here, we report a rare case of giant rectosigmoid phytobezoar with near-total colonic obstruction. Successfully, removal of this bezoar by an alternative way of fragmentation with colonoscopy, not conventional enterotomy is needed. The patient recovered well and then discharged without any morbidity 2 days later.

Phytobezoar by aloe vera as long term complication after oesophagectomy resolved using cellulase

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Phytobezoar is a very rare complication after oesophagectomy.

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Complex surgery after gastroplasty should be avoid.

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Cellulase is a very good option to solve this situation.

Bezoars are uncommon diseases caused by the presence of indigestible mass of strange material in the gastrointestinal tract. Gold-standard treatment remains unclear and there are not clinical guidelines to follow. We present a very rare case of 53-year-old man suffering phytobezoar in a gastroplasty after oesophagectomy due to aloe vera ingestion as natural medicine. Finally it was solved with cellulase. Therefore, this is a scarcely complication after esophagectomy. Cellulase is a very good option to treat phytobezoar avoiding reintervention in this kind of patient.

PhytobezoarInduced Small Bowel Obstruction in a Young Male with Virgin Abdomen

Phytobezoars are a rare cause of small bowel obstruction. Such cases are most commonly associated with previous abdominal surgery or poor dentition or psychiatric conditions. A 40 year old man with a virgin abdomen and excellent dentition and no underlying psychiatric condition presented with an acute abdomen. CT scan revealed a transition point between dilated proximal loops of small bowel and collapsed distal loops. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a phytobezoar unable to be milked into the cecum and an enterectomy with primary anastamosis was performed without complication. A detailed history revealing several less common predisposing factors for phytobezoars should increase clinical suspicion of a phytobezoarinduced small bowel obstruction in the setting of an acute abdomen. Vigilance in presentations of an acute abdomen improves the usefulness of medical imaging, such as a CT, to detect phytobezoars. Understanding mechanisms of phytobezoar formation helps guide management and may prevent surgery.

Intussusception caused by dried apricot: A case report

INTRODUCTION

An unusual cause of intussusception due to small bowel obstruction secondary to dried apricot consumption was encountered. Phytobezoar small bowel obstruction is a rare, but interesting pathology that accounts for 2–4% of small bowel obstructions (18). Even rarer, is an intussusception caused by dried fruit ingestion. We present the case of a 56-year-old female that presented with an intussusception after she ingested a large amount of dried apricots.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

The patient is a 56-year-old female with a small bowel obstruction secondary to intussusception in the distal ileum. She was taken to the operating room for a celiotomy where an intussusception of the distal small bowel was found. An enterotomy was performed which revealed dried apricots as the lead point. The intussusception was successfully reduced and the apricots removed.

DISCUSSION

Small bowel obstruction due to intussusception can be caused secondary to malignancy, Meckel's Diverticulum, benign neoplasm, and strictures. A less common cause for small bowel obstruction due to intussusception in adults is secondary to mechanical obstruction by bezoars. Risk factors for bezoar formation include previous gastric surgery, diabetes, and mastication problems.

CONCLUSION

Bezoars are an extremely rare cause of intussusception in adults. A high level of suspicion needs to exist in the presence of a history of eating dried fruit, history of gastric surgery, diabetes mellitus, and problems with mastication. Various treatment modalities exist to treat obstructions secondary to bezoars, including open reduction and removal of bezoar via enterotomy.

Extremely rare case of extrahepatic duct phytobezoar treated with intraoperative transenteral endoscopy

Phytobezoar is a rare cause of gastro-intestinal tract obstruction. Common sites of phytobezoar are the stomach and small bowel. Naturally, extrahepatic duct phytobezoar is near impossible due to anatomical structure and location such as ampulla of vater, common bile duct and bifurcation of bile duct. Here, we present an extremely rare case of extrahepatic duct phytobezoar that resulted in abdominal pain. We successfully treated the case with extraoperative transenteral endoscopic removal of phytobezoar. For its great rarity and particular treatment approach, we report this case with review of literature.

Phytobezoar: a rare cause of small bowel obstruction

Phytobezoar is an unusual cause of small bowel obstruction. It accounts for about 0.4%-4% of all mechanical bowel obstruction. However, the symptoms are not very different from those caused by usual aetiologies of small bowel obstruction. The commonest site of obstruction is terminal ileum. Treatment of small bowel obstruction due to Phytobezoar is surgery. Prevention includes avoidance of high fibre diet, prokinetics particularly in patients who have undergone gastric surgery. A 57-year-old male presented with symptoms and signs of small bowel obstruction. On exploratory laparotomy Phytobezoar in the ileum was found to be the cause of obstruction. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology.

A large-sized phytobezoar located on the rare site of the gastrointestinal tract

Bezoars are concretions of undigested material and are most often observed in the stomach. They can occur at any site in the gastrointestinal tract; however, duodenal localization is very rare. We report the case of a 71-year-old male who had undergone subtotal gastrectomy with gastroduodenostomy and experienced severe epigastric discomfort, abdominal pain, and vomiting for a few days. An approximately 7×8 cm-sized mass was found on an abdominal computed tomography scan. On following endoscopy, a large bezoar was revealed in the duodenum and was removed using an endoscopic removal technique, assisted by a large amount of Coca-Cola infusion.

Biliary phytobezoar resulting in intestinal obstruction

Phytobezoar is the most common type of bezoar. It is composed of indigestible vegetable matter and is usually found in the stomach. Biliary phytobezoar is extremely rare and difficult to diagnose preoperatively. The pathogenesis is not clear, and there have been only a few reports of biliary bezoars associated with sphincteric impairmentat the ampulla of Vater. Here, we present a report of biliary bezoar that resulted in jejunal obstruction. We were unable to identifythe bezoar in the extrahepatic bile duct until it obstructed the small bowel lumen. To our knowledge, this is the first report of small bowel obstruction resulting frommigration of a biliary bezoar.

Synergistic effect of multiple predisposing risk factors on the development of bezoars

AIM: To describe the clinical characteristics of patients with gastric or intestinal bezoars recently treated in our hospital.

METHODS: In this study, a retrospective chart review of consecutive patients with gastrointestinal bezoars, who were treated at the Samsun Education and Research Hospital between January 2006 and March 2011, was conducted. Data on demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, history of risk factors, diagnostic procedures, localization of bezoars, treatment interventions, and postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were collected and evaluated.

RESULTS: Forty-two patients [26 (61.9%) males and 16 (31.1%) females] with a mean ± SD (range) age of 55.8 ± 10.5 (37-74) years were enrolled in this study. Thirty-six patients (85.7%) had one or more predisposing risk factors for gastrointestinal bezoars. The most common predisposing risk factor was a history of previous gastric surgery which was identified in 18 patients (42.8%). Twenty three patients (54.8%) had multiple predisposing risk factors. Phytobezoars were identified in all patients except one who had a trichobezoar in the stomach. Non-operative endoscopic fragmentation was performed either initially or after unsuccessful medical treatment in 14 patients with gastric bezoars and was completely successful in 10 patients (71.5%). Surgery was the most frequent treatment method in our study, which was required in 28 patients (66.7%). Intestinal obstruction secondary to bezoars was the most common complication (n = 18, 42.8%) in our study.

CONCLUSION: The presence of multiple predisposing factors may create a synergistic effect in the development of bezoars.

Impacted foreign body in the sigmoid colon presenting as recurrent diverticulitis

We report on a patient with left-sided abdominal pain thought to be caused by recurring diverticulitis. Computed tomography of the sigmoid colon revealed diverticulosis without the presence of a foreign body. During colonoscopy, a phytobezoar in the form of a vegetable stem was discovered transversely impacted within two diverticular openings in the lumen of the sigmoid colon. A localized inflammatory reaction was present without obstruction or perforation. After endoscopic removal of the phytobezoar, the abdominal pain resolved. The patient's presumed diverticulitis was an inflammatory reaction caused by the phytobezoar. This case highlights the importance of early detection and endoscopic removal of a colonic foreign body to prevent abscess formation, fistulas, obstruction, perforation, or peritonitis. Foreign bodies masquerading as colonic diverticulitis should be considered in the absence of more common diseases.

An unusual association of gastroduodenal phytobezoar and malrotation of the midgut

This report describes, for the fi rst time, the association of phytobezoar and malrotation of midgut in an 18-month-old male child. He recovered after Ladd's operation, enterotomy removal of the bezoar and tapering duodenoplasty. Nowadays gastroduodenal phytobezoars are increasingly treated by non-surgical methods such as endoscopic disintegration or enzymatic dissolution. The case reported herein emphasizes that underlying anatomical malformations must be excluded before initiating medical management of gastroduodenal phytobezoars in children.

Huge gastric disopyrobezoar: A case report and review of literatures

We reported a case of huge gastric phytobezoar. The gastric phytobezoar was successfully removed through gastrotomy after two failed attempts in endoscopic fragmentation and removal. Disopyrobezoars could be treated either conservatively or surgically. Gastrotomy or laparoscopical management is recommended for the treatment of huge disopyrobezoars.

Gastrointestinal bezoars: A retrospective analysis of 34 cases

AIM: Bezoars (BZ) are the most common foreign bodies of gastrointestinal tract. Clinical manifestations vary depending on the location of BZ from no symptoms to acute abdominal syndrome. When located in small bowel, they frequently cause small bowel obstruction (SBO). We aimed to present our experience by reviewing literature.

METHODS: Thirty-four patients with gastrointestinal BZ were presented. The data were collected from hospital records and analyzed retrospectively. Morbidity and mortality rates were statistically analyzed between the subgroups according to SBO and endoscopic or surgical treatment modalities.

RESULTS: The 34 patients had phytobezoars (PBZ). Two patients with mental retardation and trichotillomania had trichobezoars (TBZ). More than half of them (55.88%) had previous gastric surgery. Also most of them had small bowel bezoars resulting in obstruction. Surgical and endoscopic morbidity rates were 32.14% and 14.28% respectively. The total morbidity rate of this study was 29.41%. Four patients in surgically treated group died. There was no death in endoscopically treated group. The total and surgical mortality rates were 11.76% and 14.28% respectively. The differences in morbidity and mortality rates between the subgroups were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: BZ are commonly seen in stomach and small intestine. SBO is the most common complication. When uncomplicated, endoscopic or surgical removal can be applied easily.