Viscid faecal masses and acute appendicitis

Abstract

The luminal contents of 200 consecutive appendicectomy specimens were examined prospectively to see if there was any association between viscid faecal matter and acute appendicitis. Faecaliths were found in 13·5 per cent of appendices and were associated with acute inflammation. Viscid faecal masses were present in 28·5 per cent of appendices, but were found more frequently in normal appendices. It is concluded that there is no relationship between acute appendicitis and viscid faecal matter in the lumen.