Gastric Bezoar: A Case of a Patient Treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background: Gastric bezoar is a collection of indigestible material in the stomach. It is a relatively rare disease. In this case report, it is shown that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was effective in treating a patient with gastric bezoar. Subject and setting: A 47-year-old female patient who had undergone Billroth II gastrectomy for gastric cancer had been experiencing abdominal pain and distension for 1 month. She underwent gastroscopic examination at our outpatient department; the gastroscopy showed a bezoar (7x4x2 cm in size) in her remnant stomach. Treatment using a Chinese herbal decoction was suggested. Results: The gastric bezoar dissolved after 2 weeks of regular therapy with San Jie Pai Shi decoction. No complications or adverse effects were noted during the TCM treatment. Conclusions: This case showed that TCM was an effective and alternative treatment option for patients with gastric bezoar.