Late postcholecystectomy rupture of the common bile duct.

Abstract

A review of the literature suggests that bile peritonitis may be caused by one of three types of perforation of the common bile duct: so-called spontaneous perforation of the common bile duct occurring without history of abdominal trauma, previous biliary tract surgery, or obstructing stones; late rupture of the extrahepatic ducts subsequent to cholecystectomy, and traumatic rupture of the common bile duct. The last condition occurs very infrequently and is usually fatal because of concomitant injuries to the liver, pancreas, spleen, and intestinal tract. 1 Infrequent reports suggest the rarity of each condition. Report of a Case A man aged 61 was admitted for the first time to the Presbyterian Hospital, Chicago, at midnight on Feb. 15, 1955, complaining of acute epigastric pain of 13 hours' duration. He had awakened early in the morning with a severe cramping abdominal pain. He vomited clear fluid throughout the day. The past history