Gastrointestinal phytobezoar in children.

Phytobezoars are composed of fruit or vegetable matter, including seeds, nuts, and pits, and are the most common type of bezoar associated with gastrointestinal obstruction. Eleven gastrointestinal phytobezoar in children (less than 15 years old) seen within a period of 8 years (1981-1988) were analysed. Six were boys and 5 were girls. On history, 6 patients developed symptoms after ingestion of persimmon. All cases except one occurred in late fall and winter. In 8 patients, phytobezoar was found in a single location with 5 in the ileum and 3 in the jejunum. Multiple locations were found in 3 patients. Emergency laparotomy was performed on all cases who had typical mechanical intestinal obstruction. Treatment consisted of fragmentation of bezoar with pushing toward the cecum in 9 patients, combined with gastrotomy in 3 patients, and enterotomy in 2 patients. Because the persimmon ingestion is the most common cause of bezoar formation, a careful dietary history will usually suggest the diagnosis preoperatively. All the gastrointestinal tract should be thoroughly examined intraoperatively, especially the stomach and terminal ileum, to prevent another intestinal obstruction caused by an undiscovered phytobezoar.