SPONTANEOUS PERFORATION OF THE BILE-DUCT IN INFANTS

Spontaneous perforation of the bile duct is a rare but well documented condition of infants. Six infants are described, five presenting within 2 months of birth without apparent antecedent factors and one associated with an 'acquired' type I biliary atresia at 8 months. All infants underwent definitive surgery, which included decompression of the biliary tree with cholecystenterostomy or T tube drainage. There was no morbidity or mortality associated with such surgical intervention.