IS BIRTH TRAUMA RESPONSIBLE FOR IDIOPATHIC PERFORATION OF THE BILIARY-TRACT IN INFANCY

This case report details the clinical presentation and surgical manage ment of a neonate with idiopathic perforation of the biliary tract. A three-day-old baby girl presented with a right-upper-quadrant mass and signs of peritonitis following a prolonged, difficult vaginal deliver y. At surgery, she was found to have a perforation at the junction of the cystic and common bile duct. Simple drainage of the right upper qu adrant was performed, and the patient recovered uneventfully. Early pr esentation and the nature of delivery suggests the possibility of birt h trauma as an etiological factor in this condition.