Gastrointestinal bezoars: two distinct cases illustrating diagnostic and surgical challenges

This document discusses two cases of gastrointestinal bezoars, highlighting the diagnostic and surgical challenges they present. The first case involves a 16-year-old girl with a massive gastric trichobezoar, linked to psychiatric and behavioral disorders, successfully removed via gastrotomy. The second case features a 50-year-old man with multiple gastrointestinal phytobezoars, requiring surgery through midline laparotomy for removal. These cases underscore the importance of CT imaging for diagnosis and surgical planning, and the necessity of addressing recurrence risk postoperatively. Bezoars, although rare, should be considered in patients with unexplained obstructive or epigastric symptoms, with early imaging and surgical intervention being crucial to prevent complications.