Gastric bezoar: a case of a patient treated with traditional Chinese medicine.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Gastric bezoar is a collection of indigestible material in the stomach. It is a relatively rare disease. In this case report, it is shown that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was effective in treating a patient with gastric bezoar. SUBJECT AND SETTING: A 47-year-old female patient who had undergone Billroth II gastrectomy for gastric cancer had been experiencing abdominal pain and distension for 1 month. She underwent gastroscopic examination at our outpatient department; the gastroscopy showed a bezoar (7×4×2 cm in size) in her remnant stomach. Treatment using a Chinese herbal decoction was suggested.

RESULTS:

The gastric bezoar dissolved after 2 weeks of regular therapy with San Jie Pai Shi decoction. No complications or adverse effects were noted during the TCM treatment.

CONCLUSIONS:

This case showed that TCM was an effective and alternative treatment option for patients with gastric bezoar.

• Authors: Feng Gao, Ru Gao, Jian Yu Hao, Ji Dong Jia
• Journal: Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) (J Altern Complement Med) Vol. 18 Issue 1 Pg. 93-5 (Jan 2012) ISSN: 1557-7708 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22268973 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Drugs, Chinese Herbal

Topics

• Abdominal Pain (etiology)
• Bezoars (complications, drug therapy)
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (administration & dosage)
• Female
• Gastroscopy
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Phytotherapy
• Postoperative Complications (drug therapy)
• Stomach (pathology)