Abstract

Objective: This study was designed with the aim of evaluating pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of the gastrointestinal bezoars in eleven children retrospectively.

Methods: In 01.January.2010-01.January.2022 the clinical presentation complaints and outpatient follow-up results of all patients who required surgical treatment due to digestive system bezoars were evaluated retrospectively. In addition, the post-operative period was questioned by phone call. Ethics committee approval was obtained (2020- 394).

Results: There were 11 patients who underwent surgical treatment for bezoars of the digestive system. The mean age was 11.05±5.79 years. Nine (81.8%) of the patients were female and 2 (18.1%) were male. Gastric bezoars were detected in six patients (54.5%), and intestinal bezoars were detected in 5 (45.4%) patients. Eight of the patients (72.7%) were trichobezoars and 3 (27.2%) were phytobezoars. Admission complaints were palpable abdominal mass in 6 (54.5%) patients, abdominal pain and vomiting in 5 (45.4%) patients, and more than one complaint in 4 (36.3%) patients. Trichophagia was in 5 patients (45.4%) had. One patient had Down Syndrome and as a result of the examinations, congenital duodenal web was also detected. In 7 (63.6%) of the patients, bezoar diagnosis could be made in the preoperative period and all of them were operated. 1 patient was operated for the second time. All patients were referred to child psychiatry in the postoperative period. Follow-up was 5±2,4 years.

Conclusions: Bezoar symptoms can mimic many digestive system diseases. Gastric bezoars are most common in young girls who present with an abdominal mass and complain of trichophagia. Preoperative diagnosis is usually possible in these patients. Digestive system bezoars, present more frequently with acute abdomen findings and are usually diagnosed during surgery. Treatment is almost always surgical. Care should be taken in terms of residual bezoars during surgery and it is important to prevent patients from going to psychiatry outpatient clinics to prevent recurrences.

Cite as: Gülçin N, Uğurlu D, Aydöner S, Erkoç G, Anadolulu Aİ, Ulukaya Durakbaşa Ç. Sindirim sistemi bezoarları: 10 Yıllık deneyim. Coc Cer Derg/Turkish J Ped Surg 2022;36(3): 1-5.