Bezoars: A comprehensive review of the literature with analysis of 30 collected cases

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to discuss the operated cases for bezoar and the treatment results in comparison to the literature. Material and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 30 cases operated due to bezoar in our hospital from 2008 to 2017. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, obstruction locations, dietary habits, clinical findings, diagnostic and therapeutic methods, and the outcomes of the patients were recorded from the patient files. Results: Thirty cases of bezoar were found. One patient was treated two times due to recurrence. The distribution of cases according to the monthly prevalence was observed as 4 patients in November, 10 patients in January, 9 patients in December, 3 patients in February (86.6% in autumn and winter). Twenty-one patients (70 %) had a history of abdominal surgery. Eighteen (% 60) patients also had gastric surgery. Surgery revealed 18 (%60) bezoar cases in the jejunum and ileum. Five (%16.6) patients had bezoars found concurrently in the stomach and ileum and in 7 patients (%23.3) had bezoars in the stomach. Fragmentation and milking were done to three patients, resection-anastomosis was performed to one patient, enterotomy was performed to 16 patients, gastroenterostomy was performed to 3 patients, enterotomy and gastrotomy were performed to 2 patients, gastrectomy was performed to one patient and gastrotomy was performed to 4 patients. The average days of patients stayed at the hospital were 12.83 ± 14.2 (6-84) days. Conclusion: IBO caused by bezoar is still a rare diagnosis. This case must be considered for intestinal bowel obstruction encountered in patients with previously undergone gastric surgery and fibrous food consumption, especially in autumn and winter months.