Spontaneous perforation of the common hepatic duct in a child: an unexpected intraoperative encounter.

Spontaneous or idiopathic bile duct perforation is rare, mostly seen in children from 25 weeks of gestation to 7 years of age, with the confluence of cystic duct and common hepatic duct (CHD) being the most common site. The exact aetiopathogenesis remains elusive and poorly understood, leading to a lack of consensus on its optimal management. The condition is often diagnosed intraoperatively. We present a case of spontaneous perforation of the CHD in a boy in his middle childhood, alongside a review of relevant literature. The patient presented with acute abdomen and pyobiliary peritonitis, for which a hollow viscus perforation was suspected. An emergent laparotomy revealed a 0.5 cm CHD perforation. Surgical intervention involved T-tube insertion and drainage, leading to a successful recovery. This case underscores the challenge of preoperative diagnosis, necessitating prompt exploration after initial resuscitation. There is a need for clinical vigilance and tailored surgical approaches.