Small-bowel obstruction caused by phytobezoar

BEZOARS CAUSING GASTROINTESTINAL obstruction is a very rare occurrence, but has been well documented in the literature.(1) In one study from China, bezoars were found in 46 of 496 patients with small bowel obstruction (SBO).(2) Bezoars can be classified according to their origins as phytobezoar (undigested fruit or vegetable fibers), trichobezoar (hair), lactobezoar (undigested milk), pharmacobezoar (medications), or miscellaneous. Phytobezoars are the most common form.(3) We present two cases of phytobezoar within a 3-month period presenting with complete small bowel obstruction. Both patients had no history of previous operation and required surgical treatment for their obstruction.