Evaluation of the location, number and diameter of bezoars in patients with a history of previous gastrointestinal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Bezoars are foreign bodies developed due to the swallowing of indigestible substances in the stomach that accumulate in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. This study aimed to compare the location, size, and diameter of bezoars between patients with and without a history of previous gastrointestinal surgery and between operated and non-operated patients retrospectively. METHODS: A total of 188 patients who presented to our gastroenterology clinic and in whom bezoar was suspected on clinical examination and the diagnosis confirmed through abdominal CT scans were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups; patients with a history of previous gastrointestinal surgery were assigned to Group 1 (n = 70), and those who had no history of previous surgery (n = 118) to Group 2. RESULTS: The mean age was found as 56.16 ± 15.75 years in Group 1 and 57.71 ± 15.95 years in Group 2. The mean bezoar width was significantly higher in Group 1 (p = 0.049). The mean bezoar length was significantly higher in Group 1 (p = 0.004). Considering localization of bezoars, the rate of patients who underwent enterotomy (80%) was statistically significantly higher than the patients who underwent gastrotomy (23.50%), gastrotomy + milking (28.60%) and milking (44.70%) in the operations performed in the jejunum. CONCLUSION: Bezoars are a rare cause of intestinal obstruction. The median width and length of the bezoars were significantly higher in patients with a history of previous gastric surgery. There was no significant difference in other parameters. The most common localization was jejunum.

Challenging management of obturator hernia: a report of three cases and literature review.

Obturator hernia (OH) is a rare condition with high rates of morbidity and mortality. While diagnosis is difficult, surgery is the definitive treatment. Intestinal obstruction is the most common symptom upon admission. In addition, small-bowel obstruction is documented in more than half of OH patients. Advanced age, intestinal obstruction, bowel perforation, comorbid diseases, and clinical deterioration are risk factors for higher rates of mortality. The aim of the present report was to document clinical and surgical management of 3 female patients, each over 80 years of age, admitted to the emergency surgery department with intestinal obstruction and OH.