title: [Ileus due to oranges in Meckel's diverticulum].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A Meckel's diverticulum is a remnant of the primitive bowel and the yolk sac which occurs in 1-5% of the population. It causes problems in only very few people.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 39-year-old man developed acute abdominal pain after eating two oranges. The cause of the pain was found during a lower abdominal laparotomy - the small bowel was obstructed by a Meckel's diverticulum and a phytobezoar composed of orange fibres. Both were removed surgically.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum should be removed; however, in an asymptomatic Meckel's diverticulum this approach is controversial. One of the problems that can arise is an obstructive ileus. Patients who in the past have had an obstructive ileus resulting from a phytobezoar are advised to avoid eating large quantities of fruit rich in fibre and to chew very well.
authors.affiliation: Ruwaard van Puttenziekenhuis, afd. Chirurgie, Spijkenisse, the Netherlands. lvdsteeg@gmail.com
authors.forename: Laura H J
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: van de Steeg
authors.forename: Roelf R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Postema
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D001630:Bezoars / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D032084:Citrus sinensis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D007813:Laparotomy; D008297:Male; D008467:Meckel Diverticulum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome