title: Pathogenetic aspects of persimmon bezoars. A case-control retrospective study.
abstract: To prove that ingestion of unpeeled persimmon is necessary for the development of a persimmon phytobezoar, we interviewed 15 patients, in most of whom this condition developed after peptic ulcer surgery. We compared the study group with a control group of 15 patients who had undergone peptic ulcer surgery but did not have a bezoar. In contrast with the control group, most patients with bezoars had ingested unpeeled fruits (p < 0.01). While ingestion of persimmon carried a 9.8-fold risk of bezoar development, ingestion of the unpeeled fruit increased the risk of this complication 56 times over that of age- and sex-matched controls. We recommend that patients who have undergone ulcer surgery be warned particularly against eating unpeeled persimmons.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, Soroka Medical Center of Kupat Holim, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Benharroch
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krugliak
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Porath
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zurgil
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Niv
mesh_terms: D001630:Bezoars / Q000209:etiology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies