Treatment of gastric phytobezoars with cellulase

BACKGROUND: the aim of our study was to analyze the efficacy of cellulase i n dissolving gastric phytobezoars. METHODS: We carried out a prospective study over a period of 1 year. All pa tients (7 cases) diagnosed as having gastric phytobezoar on gastroscopy wer e treated with cellulase. RESULTS: complete dissolution of the gastric phytobezoar was achieved in al l 7 patients. No side effects or recurrences occurred during follow-up. DISCUSSION: we conclude that cellulase should be regarded as the treatment of choice for gastric phytobezoars because of its efficacy, and because of the lack of side effects or recurrences. However, further clinical trials a re necessary to verify these findings.