Abstract
While postoperative adhesions, hernias, and tumors are common causes of small bowel obstruction (SBO), food-induced obstruction is rare. Konjac (Amorphophallus konjac)-related SBO is exceptionally uncommon, with only a few cases documented in the English literature. We present the case of a man in his 50s who developed abdominal pain during breakfast. After conservative management at a local clinic failed, he was referred to our hospital. Abdominal computed tomography indicated SBO of unknown etiology. Emergency laparotomy revealed four connected pieces of konjac obstructing the small intestine. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged on postoperative day 8. This case represents a rare instance of konjac-induced SBO. Given the rising global consumption of konjac products-especially in Western countries-clinicians should consider konjac ingestion as a potential cause of food-induced bowel obstruction.
TY - JOUR
T1 - A case of small bowel obstruction caused by konjac.
AU - Ooya,Yoshitaka,
AU - Kaji,Masahito,
Y1 - 2026/04/17/
PY - 2026/02/10/received
PY - 2026/03/19/revised
PY - 2026/03/25/accepted
PY - 2026/4/20/medline
PY - 2026/4/20/pubmed
PY - 2026/4/20/entrez
KW - food-induced bowel obstruction
KW - glucomannan
KW - konjac
KW - phytobezoar
KW - small bowel obstruction
SP - rjag277
EP - rjag277
JF - Journal of surgical case reports
JO - J Surg Case Rep
VL - 2026
IS - 4
N2 - While postoperative adhesions, hernias, and tumors are common causes of small bowel obstruction (SBO), food-induced obstruction is rare. Konjac (Amorphophallus konjac)-related SBO is exceptionally uncommon, with only a few cases documented in the English literature. We present the case of a man in his 50s who developed abdominal pain during breakfast. After conservative management at a local clinic failed, he was referred to our hospital. Abdominal computed tomography indicated SBO of unknown etiology. Emergency laparotomy revealed four connected pieces of konjac obstructing the small intestine. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged on postoperative day 8. This case represents a rare instance of konjac-induced SBO. Given the rising global consumption of konjac products-especially in Western countries-clinicians should consider konjac ingestion as a potential cause of food-induced bowel obstruction.
SN - 2042-8812
UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/prime/citation/42004663/A_case_of_small_bowel_obstruction_caused_by_konjac.
DB - PRIME
DP - Unbound Medicine
ER -