New therapeutic approach in postoperative phytobezoars.

Postoperative phytobezoars (duration from 2 months to 46 years) after surgery for duodenal ulcer disappeared in seven patients, by both x-ray and gastroscopy, on conservative approach aimed at the major role of delayed gastric emptying in phytobezoar formation. During a 3-day period, metoclopramide was given by drip infusion, 40 mg/24 hours, and the patient received only a copious clear diet, with no solid food. In one patient, two courses of treatment were necessary for complete elimination of the phytobezoar. None of the patients had any underlying disease. All but one had good dentition. "Disruption" of the bezoars allowed the discovery upon endoscopy of unusual etiological features such as carcinoma of the stoma and stomal polypoid hypertrophic gastritis (so-called gastritis cystica polyposa ) in one patient, and a retained suture narrowing the stoma in another.