Question:
Gastric Bezoars

I am 9 months out from open RNY and have had 6 strictures and now was diagnosed with Gastric Bezoars. Has anyone had this and what is the treatment? Thank-you! Ana Villa, RN    — nursevilla (posted on January 5, 2009)

January 5, 2009
Bezoars are balls of undigested materials, insoluble fiber, and un-dissolved medicines that resist the action of digestive enzymes in the stomach. Bezoars are the result of a lack of stomach hydrochloric acid secretion, without which medicine like sulfa drugs, iron, and antacid tablets may not dissolve. They may also be caused by poor stomach emptying. In adults, bezoars are most frequently encountered after a gastric operation, but in children, bezoars are associated with pica, mental retardation, and coexistent psychiatric pathologic disorders. Types of bezoars * Food boli (singular, bolus) imitate true bezoars and are composed of loose aggregates of food items such as seeds, fruit pith, or pits as well as other types of items such as shellac, bubble gum, soil, and concretions of some medications. * Pharmacobezoars (or medication bezoars) are mostly tablets or semi-liquid masses of drugs. * Phytobezoars are composed of nondigestible food material (e.g., cellulose) and are frequently reported in patients with impaired digestion and decreased gastric motility. * Trichobezoar is a bezoar formed from hair - an extreme form of hairball. Humans who frequently consume hair sometimes require these to be removed. This has also been called Rapunzel syndrome. * Diospyrobezoar is a bezoar formed from persimmons. This type of bezoar is usually seen in humans who have had prior gastric surgery or ailments. These may respond to treatment by dissolution or in some cases surgery. Treatment may include avoidance of fibrous foods such as apples, berries, Brussels sprouts, beans, and sauerkraut, as well as changes in any medication being taken. Most bezoars require no treatment. A doctor may advise the person to check the stool to see when the object is excreted. Sometimes a doctor recommends that the person consume a liquid diet to help excrete the object. To help break down a bezoar, a doctor may prescribe a regimen of cellulase or meat tenderizer, which is dissolved in a liquid and taken by mouth for several days. Sometimes doctors use forceps, a laser, or other instruments to break up bezoars so that they can pass through or be removed more easily. Doctors can remove some objects that are stuck in the esophagus with forceps or a basket passed through an endoscope.
   — nursenut

January 5, 2009
I do agree with the other post. If you have more than one Bezoar then it would depend on what it is and how large it is; some docs recommend surgery or the cellulose treatment. What else can you do? Try NOT taking any but necessary meds and by that I mean meds you take to survive; don't chew gum for a few days and for sure don't participate in any drug trials old or new. Good Luck and God Bless, vinnigirl, retired RN
   — vinnigirl