A case of small bowel obstruction due to phytobezoars

Abstract

Approximately 2-4 per cent of small bowel obstructions (SBO) are caused by bezoars. In addition, presentation with features of acute surgical abdomen is extremely rare, accounting for only 1% of the patients. A bezoar is a concretion of indigestible material found in the gastrointestinal tract, which usually forms in the stomach and passes into the small bowel, where it can cause SBO. We present the case of a 63-year-old male who presented with SBO following ingestion of boiled olive leaves as herbal treatment for diabetes mellitus.