A case of small intestinal obstruction due to phytobezoar, revealed after operation in elderly / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

The major causes of small bowel obstruction are postoperative adhesion, hernia, intussusception and malignancies. However, in cases of uncommon causes of small bowel obstruction, surgeons are in a dilemma because the preoperative diagnosis and making a decision to operate are frequently difficult and delayed. Phytobezoars are unusual cause of small bowel obstruction. They are mostly due to ingestion of stringent immature fruits following gastric surgery. They are usually formed in stomach and do not migrate to the other intestinal tract, but can lead to the serious complication of acute small bowel obstruction. We are reporting a case of acute small bowel obstruction due to phytobezoar about 2x2x3 cm3 size in a 90 year old female.