Gallbladder perforation following trauma in an 18-month-old child with a common bile duct cyst

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Trauma Surgery
• Gastrointestinal Surgery

Background:

• Gallbladder rupture due to blunt abdominal trauma is a rare injury, particularly in pediatric patients.
• The co-occurrence of gallbladder injury and common bile duct cysts in children is exceptionally infrequent.
• Diagnosis is often delayed due to vague clinical symptoms and challenges in imaging.

Observation:

• An 18-month-old girl presented with septic shock and chylous effusion following blunt abdominal trauma (domestic violence).
• Initial medical management for chylous ascites was unsuccessful, necessitating surgical intervention.
• The patient had a pre-existing common bile duct cyst, complicating the clinical picture.

Findings:

• The case highlights the diagnostic challenges of gallbladder rupture in children, especially with concurrent common bile duct cysts.
• Single-stage laparoscopic surgery proved effective for both diagnosing and treating the gallbladder injury.
• The patient's presentation of septic shock and chylous effusion underscores the severity of the injury.

Implications:

• Laparoscopic surgery offers a viable approach for the diagnosis and management of pediatric gallbladder rupture.
• This case expands the understanding of rare gallbladder injuries in the context of blunt abdominal trauma and congenital anomalies.
• Early surgical intervention is crucial for favorable outcomes in pediatric patients with severe gallbladder trauma.