title: Can fruit seeds and undigested plant residuals cause acute appendicitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relation between fruit seeds, plants residuals and appendicitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Among cases that underwent appendectomy, the appendicitis cases having fruit seeds and undigested plant residuals in their etiology were examined retrospectively. Also, histopathological features, age, sex, and parameters of morbidity and mortality were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fruit seed was found in one case (0.05%) with presence of pus in appendix lumen, undigested plant residuals in 7 cases (0.35%). It was determined that there were appendix inflammation in 2 of the plant residuals cases, while there were obstruction and lymphoid hyperplasia in the appendix lumen of 5 cases. No mortality was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ratio of acute appendicitis caused by plants is minimal among all appendectomised patients, but avoidence of eating undigested fruit seeds and chewing plants well may help to prevent appendicitis.
authors.affiliation: Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Surgery Departmant, Izmir-Turkey.
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Engin
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.forename: Savas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yakan
authors.forename: Gulnihal Ay
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Coskun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D004063:Digestion; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012639:Seeds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Acute appendicitis; Bezoar; Fruit seed; Fruit-vegetable consumption