General Surgery Principles Practice Questions

Q: Which of the following is a nonabsorbable suture?

Polypropylene. **Explanation:** Sutures are broadly classified into **Absorbable** (broken down by the body via hydrolysis or enzymatic digestion) and **Non-absorbable** (remain permanently in the tissue or require manual removal). **Correct Answer: B. Polypropylene (Prolene)** Polypropylene is a synthetic, monofilament, **non-absorbable** suture. In Urology, it is frequently used for vascular anastomoses (e.g., renal artery in transplant) and abdominal wall closure (linea alba) because it maintains high tensile strength indefinitely and has minimal tissue reactivity. **Incorrect Options:** * **A. Vicryl (Polyglactin 910):** A synthetic, braided, **absorbable** suture. It loses most of its tensile strength by 3–4 weeks and is completely absorbed by 60–90 days. * **C. Catgut:** A natural, **absorbable** suture derived from bovine or ovine submucosa. It is absorbed rapidly by enzymatic digestion and is now largely replaced by synthetic sutures due to high tissue reactivity. * **D. PDS (Polydioxanone):** A synthetic, monofilament, **absorbable** suture. It is unique because it provides prolonged tensile strength (up to 6 weeks), making it ideal for slow-healing tissues like the rectus sheath. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** 1. **Urology Rule:** Never use non-absorbable sutures (like Prolene or Silk) inside the urinary tract (lumen of the bladder or ureter) as they act as a **nidus for stone formation**. 2. **Ideal Suture for Urinary Tract:** Vicryl or Monocryl (absorbable) are preferred. 3. **Memory:** Polypropylene has high "plastic memory," meaning it tends to return to its original straight shape, requiring more knots for security. 4. **Fastest absorbing suture:** Plain Catgut. 5. **Longest-acting absorbable suture:** PDS.

Q: Which of the following is a delayed absorbable synthetic suture material?

Vicryl. **Explanation:** The classification of suture materials is a high-yield topic for NEET-PG, based on two criteria: origin (natural vs. synthetic) and longevity (absorbable vs. non-absorbable). **Why Vicryl is Correct:** **Vicryl (Polyglactin 910)** is a **synthetic, braided, absorbable** suture. It is classified as "delayed absorbable" because it retains approximately 50% of its tensile strength at 3 weeks and is completely absorbed via **hydrolysis** within 60–90 days. This makes it ideal for sub-cutaneous tissue and soft tissue approximation. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Chromic Catgut:** This is a **natural absorbable** suture derived from the submucosa of sheep intestine or serosa of bovine intestine. It is treated with chromic acid salts to delay absorption, but it is not synthetic and is absorbed via enzymatic digestion (causing more tissue reaction). * **Silk:** This is a **natural non-absorbable** suture. While it may technically degrade over several years, it is clinically classified as non-absorbable. It is braided and known for excellent handling but high tissue reactivity. * **Nylon (Ethilon):** This is a **synthetic non-absorbable** monofilament. It is commonly used for skin closure due to its high tensile strength and low infection risk. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Fastest absorption:** Plain catgut (7–10 days). * **Longest-acting synthetic absorbable:** PDS (Polydioxanone) – maintains strength for up to 6 weeks; ideal for abdominal wall closure. * **Absorption mechanism:** Synthetic sutures (Vicryl, PDS, Monocryl) undergo **hydrolysis** (less reaction), while natural sutures (Catgut) undergo **enzymatic degradation** (more reaction). * **Suture of choice for vascular anastomosis:** Prolene (Polypropylene) – synthetic, non-absorbable monofilament with the least thrombogenicity.

Q: Spigelian hernia is typically seen in which anatomical region?

Subumbilical region. **Explanation:** A **Spigelian hernia** (also known as a spontaneous lateral ventral hernia) occurs through a defect in the **Spigelian fascia**. This fascia is the aponeurotic layer located between the lateral border of the rectus abdominis muscle and the semilunar line (the junction of the muscular fibers of the transversus abdominis with its aponeurosis). **Why Option B is correct:** The Spigelian fascia is widest and weakest in the **subumbilical region**, specifically where the posterior rectus sheath terminates at the **arcuate line (of Douglas)**. Below this line, all aponeurotic layers pass anterior to the rectus muscle, leaving the area structurally vulnerable. Most Spigelian hernias occur within the "Spigelian hernia belt," a 6 cm wide transverse zone located just above the interspinal plane. **Why other options are incorrect:** * **A. Lumbar triangle:** This is the site for lumbar hernias (Petit’s triangle or Grynfeltt-Lesshaft triangle), located in the posterior abdominal wall. * **C & D. Paraumbilical/Supraumbilical regions:** While the Spigelian fascia extends superiorly, the aponeurotic fibers are much stronger and the fascia is narrower above the umbilicus, making hernias in these regions extremely rare. **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **"Interstitial Hernia":** It is often called an interstitial hernia because the sac typically lies deep to the external oblique aponeurosis, making it difficult to diagnose on physical exam (no obvious bulge). * **High Risk of Strangulation:** Due to the narrow, rigid neck of the defect, the risk of incarceration and strangulation is high; thus, surgical repair is always indicated. * **Diagnosis:** Ultrasound or CT scan is the gold standard for diagnosis when clinical suspicion is high but no mass is palpable.

Q: Burst abdomen following laparotomy typically occurs after how many days?

6-9 days. **Explanation:** **Burst Abdomen (Abdominal Wound Dehiscence)** is a serious postoperative complication where the layers of the abdominal wall separate, often leading to evisceration. **Why 6-9 days is correct:** The integrity of a surgical wound depends on the balance between the degradation of old collagen and the synthesis of new collagen. The **lag phase** of wound healing occurs during the first 5 days, where tensile strength is at its lowest and the wound relies entirely on sutures. Between **days 6 and 9**, the sutures may begin to cut through the tissues (especially if there is excessive tension or infection), while the new collagen hasn't yet gained sufficient strength to hold the edges together. This "weak window" is when most dehiscences occur. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **1-2 days (Option A):** Too early. At this stage, the sutures are fresh and the tissue has not yet undergone the enzymatic softening (collagenolysis) that leads to "cutting out." * **2 weeks (Option C):** By day 14, the proliferative phase is well underway, and the wound has regained enough tensile strength to resist most dehiscing forces. * **4 weeks (Option D):** This is the remodeling phase. Failure at this stage is rare and would typically present as an incisional hernia rather than an acute "burst." **NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **The "Pink Serous Discharge" Sign:** A serosanguinous (pinkish) discharge from the wound on the 5th or 6th day is the most important clinical herald of an impending burst abdomen. * **Most Common Cause:** Technical error (e.g., sutures tied too tightly or too close to the edge). * **Risk Factors:** Increased intra-abdominal pressure (coughing, distension), malnutrition (hypoalbuminemia), and emergency surgeries. * **Management:** Immediate coverage with sterile saline-soaked gauze followed by urgent surgical re-closure (usually using "tension sutures").

Q: What is the concentration of sodium (in mEq/L) in normal saline?

154. Normal Saline (0.9% NaCl) is a crystalloid solution widely used for fluid resuscitation and maintenance. The concentration of 0.9% means there are 9 grams of Sodium Chloride per liter of water. ### **Why 154 is Correct** To calculate the milliequivalents (mEq) of Sodium ($Na^+$) in Normal Saline: 1. The molecular weight of NaCl is approximately 58.5 g/mol. 2. In 1 liter of 0.9% NaCl, there are 9,000 mg of NaCl. 3. $9,000 \text{ mg} / 58.5 \approx 154 \text{ mEq/L}$. Since NaCl dissociates into equal parts $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$, Normal Saline contains **154 mEq/L of Sodium** and **154 mEq/L of Chloride**. ### **Analysis of Incorrect Options** * **A (77 mEq/L):** This is the sodium concentration of **Half-Normal Saline (0.45% NaCl)**. * **B (109 mEq/L):** This is the chloride concentration in **Ringer’s Lactate**. * **C (130 mEq/L):** This is the sodium concentration in **Ringer’s Lactate** (Hartmann’s Solution), which is more physiological than Normal Saline. ### **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG** * **Osmolarity:** Normal Saline has an osmolarity of **308 mOsm/L**, making it slightly hypertonic compared to plasma (285–295 mOsm/L). * **Hyperchloremic Metabolic Acidosis:** Large volumes of Normal Saline can lead to this condition due to the high chloride content (154 mEq/L vs. plasma 100 mEq/L). * **Fluid of Choice:** It is the preferred fluid for resuscitation in patients with **hypochloremic hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis** (e.g., Gastric Outlet Obstruction/Pyloric Stenosis) and for traumatic brain injury to maintain cerebral perfusion pressure.

Question 1

What is the most common site for a lung abscess?

Accepted Answer

Posterior segment of the right upper lobe

Answer

Lingula

Answer

Posterior segment of the left lower lobe

Answer

Posterior segment of the right lower lobe

Question 2

Which of the following is a nonabsorbable suture?

Accepted Answer

Polypropylene

Answer

Vicryl

Answer

Catgut

Answer

PDS

Question 3

Which of the following is a delayed absorbable synthetic suture material?

Accepted Answer

Vicryl

Answer

Chromic catgut

Answer

Silk

Answer

Nylon

Question 4

Spigelian hernia is typically seen in which anatomical region?

Accepted Answer

Subumbilical region

Answer

Lumbar triangle

Answer

Paraumbilical region

Answer

Supraumbilical region

Question 5

What does the Ross procedure involve?

Accepted Answer

Replacement of the aortic valve with an autologous pulmonic valve and implantation of a pulmonic valve homograft.

Answer

Replacement of the aortic valve with a pulmonic homograft.

Answer

Replacement of the mitral valve with a tissue prosthesis and repair of the tricuspid valve.

Answer

Replacement of the aortic valve with a porcine valve and repair of the pulmonary valve.

Question 6

Physiologic responses to all types of shock include the following except?

Accepted Answer

Vasoconstriction.

Answer

Activation of the inflammatory system.

Answer

Activation of the coagulation system.

Answer

Hypoperfusion of tissues.

Question 7

Burst abdomen following laparotomy typically occurs after how many days?

Accepted Answer

6-9 days

Answer

1-2 days

Answer

2 weeks

Answer

4 weeks

Question 8

What is the concentration of sodium (in mEq/L) in normal saline?

Accepted Answer

154

Answer

77

Answer

109

Answer

130

Question 9

Which of the following is true about chylothorax?

Accepted Answer

The treatment of choice is excision and ligation of the thoracic duct.

Answer

It is more common on the left side.

Answer

The fluid is clear.

Answer

Immediate thoracotomy should be performed.

Question 10

No-touch technique of suturing should be undertaken to reduce the risk of what?

Accepted Answer

Needle stick injuries

Answer

Hematoma formation

Answer

Abscess formation

Answer

None of the above

General Surgery Principles — MCQs

General Surgery Principles — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?