Gall bladder perforation and biliary peritonitis in a young pregnant lady

A rare event of acute free perforation of gall bladder with biliary peritonitis in a case of calculous cholecystitis in a 28 years old pregnant lady occurring in the absence of the usual factors associated with gall stone disease is reported. The clinical features resembled acute appendicitis and a pre-operative diagnosis could not be made. It is suggested that a thorough attempt should be made to exclude conditions mimicking appendicitis, including those of the biliary system, on finding a normal appendix at emergency appendicectomy without hesitating to convert to full laparotomy if required.