[Intestinal occlusion caused by ileal phytobezoar].

The paper reports a case of occlusion of the small intestine by phytobezoar which was treated surgically by means of enterectomy and removal; the Authors underline that gastric and/or ileal phytobezoar are formed by vegetables with a high percentage of indigestible fibres and fruit with many seeds; predisposing conditions include inadequate mastication in gastroresected and vagotomised patients. If the latter follow the rule of chopping high-risk vegetables before eating them, occlusion of the small intestine due to phytobezoar and emergency surgery can be avoided.