Spontaneous perforation of bile ducts in neonates

Three neonates with spontaneous perforation of the common bile duct have been described. All were treated by laparotomy in the seventh week, with attempted closure of the perforation and a simple biliary diversion by cholecyst-jejunostomy with jejunojejunostomy below it. They have done well and represent 100% salvage of our cases to date. One is now 12 years of age. As far as we are aware, this method of dealing with the condition has not been described before.