Phytobezoar: An Uncommon Cause of Intestinal Obstruction

Abstract

Small bowel obstruction is one of the commonest conditionseen in surgical practice. Out of the various etiologies, phytobezoar is a rare etiological factor, seen in only 0.4%-4% of all small intestinal  obstruction.The terminal ileum being the narrowest part of small bowel with slow motility, is the commonest site of small bowel bezoars. Increased absorption capacity of the terminal ileum results in hardening of the bezoar and loss of motility. Gastrointestinal bezoars are aggregates of indigestible material in the gastrointestinal tract. In1896 Phyto-bezoar was diagnosed preoperatively by Stelzer