Lithobezoar and Phytobezoar Causing Intestinal Obstruction: A Report of Two Cases

Abstract

Concretion or mass formed of exogenous undigested material in the gastrointestinal tract is called bezoar. Bezoar is a rare condition and can present with clinical features ranging from recurrent abdominal pain to acute presentation with obstruction or gastrointestinal bleeding. Preoperative diagnosis is usually done by imaging studies. They are treated with endoscopic or surgical removal of the bezoar along with treatment of complications and underlying illness. Here, we present two cases of bezoars: first, a case of a duodenal lithobezoar in 35-year-old male who presented with features of gastric outlet obstruction. He was found to have duodenal stricture and multiple small lithobezoars in the stomach and duodenum. The bezoars were removed by laparotomy and gastrotomy; and gastrojejunostomy was done to bypass the stricture. The second was a jejunal phytobezoar in 42-year-old male who presented with jejunal obstruction. Laparotomy and resection of the involved segment of jejunum and end-to-end anastomosis were done. Both the patients improved without postoperative complications.