Retained lead shot in the appendix

Sixty-two patients with retained lead shot in their appendices, discovered during routine radiographic studies, were followed for periods ranging from two months to 13 years. The number of lead shot in the appendices varied from one to over 200. Twenty patients who had barium studies showed no evidence of luminal obstruction of their appendices. Eight patients who had appendectomies showed no evidence of appendicitis on tissue examination. None of the other patients developed any clinical evidence of appendicitis or lead poisoning. It is concluded that no causal relationship exists between retention of lead shot, their number, the duration of their presence in the appendix, and appendicitis.