Biliary peritonitis due to spontaneous perforation of choledochus: A case report

Abstract

Spontaneous perforation of common bile duct (CBD) in an adult is an exceedingly rare phenomenon. It is mostly seen in infants due to congenital anomalies. The diagnosis of biliary tract perforations is often delayed due to their nonspecific symptoms, which results in high morbidity. Early diagnosis and aggressive therapy are mandatory to alleviate this condition. Delayed diagnoses and treatment may have more serious consequences in terms of morbidity as well as mortality. We herein report spontaneous perforation of CBD in a middle-aged male who presented to our accident and emergency department with acute abdominal pain. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a small perforation with necrosed margins in the supraduodenal part of CBD, which was managed by a Ttube drain. However, no apparent cause for the perforation was found. © Association of Surgeons of India 2011.