Small bowel obstruction caused by a mango phytobezoar within a Meckel’s diverticulum

Abstract

Abstract A fit and well gentleman in his 40s presented with vomiting and obstipation. His only relevant history being recent ingestion of a large quantity of mangoes. A computer tomography demonstrated a small bowel obstruction with a transition point in the right iliac fossa, but no other pathological findings. After a short period of non-operative management he proceeded to surgery, where a phytobezoar was identified at a Meckel’s diverticulum causing a pantaloon shaped intra-luminal obstruction. A small bowel resection and primary anastomosis was performed and the patient had an uncomplicated post-operative course. Meckel’s diverticuli are a relatively common phenomenon and may pre-dispose to bowel obstructions through a number of different mechanisms. This unusual case highlights the importance of considering this as a differential, and one that will likely require timely operative intervention.