Phytobeozar large bowel obstruction - The prickly pear (A single centre experience and case series report)

In conclusion, the opuntia ficus indica is a 'multi-purpose' fruit used from the agricultural sector to the pharmaceutical industry. Its use is likely to increase worldwide, including as a source of food/delicacy, espiceially in countries who promote it as part of their traditional gastronomy. Our experience, has taught us, the prickly pear seeds can lead to large bowel faecal impaction secondary to distal faecoloma formation, when consumed, with no obvious correlation between quantity ingested and risk of obstruction. Utilisation of the osmotic based laxatives is effective but manual disimpaction may be necessary for the phytobezoar induced large bowel obstruction to be relieved.