Coca-Cola consumption vs fragmentation in the management of patients with phytobezoars: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

Background: Gastric phytobezoars (GPBs) are very common in northern China. Combined therapy involving carbonated beverage consumption and endoscopic lithotripsy has been shown to be effective and safe. Existing studies on this subject are often case reports highlighting the successful dissolution of phytobezoars through Coca-Cola consumption. Consequently, large-scale prospective investigations in this domain remain scarce. Therefore, we conducted a randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of Coca-Cola consumption on GPBs.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of Coca-Cola on GPBs, including the dissolution rate, medical expenses, ulcer rate, and operation time.

Methods: A total of 160 consecutive patients diagnosed with GPBs were allocated into two groups (a control group and an intervention group) through computer-generated randomization. Patients in the intervention group received a Coca-Cola-based regimen (Coca-Cola 2000-4000 mL per day for 7 d), while those in the control group underwent emergency fragmentation.

Results: Complete dissolution of GPBs was achieved in 100% of the patients in the intervention group. The disparity in expenses between the control group and intervention group (t = 25.791, P = 0.000) was statistically significant, and the difference in gastric ulcer occurrence between the control group and intervention group (χ² = 6.181, P = 0.013) was also statistically significant.

Conclusion: Timely ingestion of Coca-Cola yields significant benefits, including a complete dissolution rate of 100%, a low incidence of gastric ulcers, no need for fragmentation and reduced expenses.