Gastric Bezoars: A Retrospective Analysis of 44 Cases

BACKGROUND Gastric bezoars are a relatively rare condition. We aim to summarize the clinical characteristics and endoscopic features of patients with gastric bezoars, and analyze the treatment process. MATERIAL AND METHODS The medical records of 44 patients with gastric bezoars treated at Henan Provincial People's Hospital from September 2017 to December 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS Among the 44 patients, there were 20 males and 24 females. The average age was 55.36±15.17 years. Abdominal pain was the primary symptom in patients with gastric bezoars. Single gastric bezoars were more common than multiple ones, accounting for 86.4% of all cases. Endoscopic examination revealed ulcers in 36 (81.8%) patients, mainly at the gastric angle and antrum. Single ulcers were more common than multiple ulcers, with most ulcer diameters being less than 2 cm. The occurrence of ulcers was not significantly related to patient age or the size of the bezoars. Endoscopic examination confirmed complete clearance of gastric bezoars in 30 patients. In the 26 patients treated successfully under endoscopy, the number of endoscopic treatments ranged from 1 to 4, with an average of 1.27 interventions per patient. The interval for the second endoscopic re-examination ranged from 2 to 6 days, with an average of 3.87±1.22 days. CONCLUSIONS The most common type of gastric bezoar is phytobezoars. There is a close association between ulcer formation and gastric bezoars. Endoscopic therapy combined with oral treatment can effectively treat gastric bezoars. Most patients require only 1 endoscopic treatment to be successful. The appropriate interval for a follow-up endoscopy after the first endoscopic treatment is around 4 days.