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. 2018 Jan 4;34(1):33-37.
doi: 10.5152/turkjsurg.2017.3770. eCollection 2018.

Treatment of phytobezoars: Tailoring management to diverse presentations

Zeki Özsoy  1 , İsmail Okan  1
Affiliations

Treatment of phytobezoars: Tailoring management to diverse presentations

Zeki Özsoy et al. Turk J Surg. .

Abstract

Objective: A minimally invasive approach is feasible and successful for the treatment of phytobezoars. We would like to draw attention to the overconsumption of Sorbus domestica and discuss the management options of patients presenting with different symptoms due to phytobezoars.

Material and methods: Data from patients diagnosed with phytobezoars in the Department of General Surgery from 2010 to 2016 were prospectively collected and evaluated.

Results: Twenty patients diagnosed with phytobezoars were included in the study. The etiology of phytobezoar was Sorbus domestica seeds in 12 patients, watermelon seeds in two patients, Japanese persimmon seeds in one patient, and unidentified in five patients. Fourteen patients underwent surgery, while the remaining patients were treated conservatively. Minimally invasive surgery was used in all but two cases, where the surgery was converted to laparotomy. Two patients developed postoperative morbidity. There was no mortality.

Conclusion: The treatment modality should be selected for each patient according to the presenting symptoms and characteristics of phytobezoar. In cases where surgery is performed, a minimally invasive approach is feasible and successful for the treatment of ileus.

Keywords: Minimally invasive approach; phytobezoar; sorbus domestica; treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.

Figures

Figure 1. a–c
Figure 1. a–c
Sorbus domestica. (a) Fresh SD, (b) dried SD, (c) phytobezoar formation caused by SD
Figure 2. a, b
Figure 2. a, b
CT scan showing a phytobezoar. Typical mottled appearance of a phytobezoar in the stomach (a) and distal ileal bowel loops (b)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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