[The post-traumatic biliary cyst (author's transl)]

The case report communicated here illustrates a late complication subsequent to an emergency operation for liver rupture. This complication may result from ligating a branch of the hepatic artery to stop bleeding. If the necessary second operation is omitted for any reason, the hepatic sequester can develop into an abscess or biliary cyst. It is to be expected that these late complications will occur more frequently in future owing to a probable increase in the incidence of the so-called blunt abdominal traumas. The reason for this is, on the one hand, the growing number of traffic accidents and, on the other hand, the increasing use of safety seat belts which tend to promote the occurrence of ruptures of the liver as part of the blunt abdominal traumas. However, we must emphasize that it is the use of safety seat belts only which ensures the traffic victims' chance of survival.