Isolated complete transection of the common bile duct due to blunt trauma is rare. Its occurrence and successful treatment in an 8-year-old boy are described. Inital minor peritonism resolved quickly, followed by a deceptive asymptomatic period and insidious development of jaundice, anorexia, vomiting, pain, acholic stools and progressive abdominal distension due to sterile biliary ascites. A preliminary cholecystostomy was followed by construction of a Roux-en-Y cholecystojejunostomy.