Intestinal obstruction due to phytobezoars. Observations in two patients with hypothyroidism and previous gastric surgery.

Two patients had small-bowel obstruction due to phytobezoars. Both patients were hypothyroid. One patient had undergone a previous pyloroplasty for pyloric stenosis and the other a truncal vagotomy and a pyloroplasty for a duodenal ulcer. Similarities and differences between the two cases and the possible predisposing factors in the formation of the phytobezoars are discussed. The recognition of high-risk patients, and their education to prevent phytobezoars are emphasized.