SummaryThree cases of bile peritonitis following cholecystedomy have been presented. They all recovered following drainage of the collection of bile.This complication can be diagnosed on radiographic grounds by demonstrating the rapid change of shape of the flank stripe, and in some cases reversal of this stripe by a soft tissue mass in the post‐operative phase. This mass is due to the collection of bile‐stained fluid in the right paracolic gutter.If upper abdominal pain, tachycardia and signs of local peritonitis appear within twelve hours of removal of the plastic T‐tube, and the above radiographic signs are elicited, then the diagnosis of post‐operative bile peritonitis is certain.To my knowledge this is a new radiographic sign that is specific for this compl