Abstract

Phytobezoars are the most common type of bezoars composed of nondigestible food material. They are usually formed in stomach and do not migrate to the other intestinal tract. Recently, we experienced two cases of small bowel phytobezoars resulting in obstruction. The first case is a 72-year-old male patient who had no previous history of surgery. He had poor dentition, and the history of eating dry persimmons 20 days before the onset of symptoms. The phytobezoar (4x3cm) obstructed the terminal ileum. Colonoscopic removal was performed successfully. The second case is a 45-year-old male patient undergone previous vagotomy and pyloroplasty for duodenal ulcer perforation. He had a huge phytobezoar (10 X 6 cm) in stornach, which was treated by endoscopic removal. After incomplete endoscopic treatment, it moved into the proximal jejunum and obstructed the lumen. It was removed by operation, (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2001;22:182 - 186)

• Keywords: Phytobezoar, Small bowel obstruction, Surgery, Colonoscopy