What is the primary treatment for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer?
What is the typical absorption duration of Polydioxanone sutures?
Which type of surgical suture is known to cause the most tissue reaction?
What type of respiratory failure is most commonly observed in post-operative patients?
In which of the following cancers is intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) applicable?
An Incisional wound heals by
What is the commonest site of peptic ulcer?
Which of the following statements accurately describes a subtotal thyroidectomy?
Which of the following statements about Branchial cysts is true:
A 40-year-old male with chest trauma presents with breathlessness, decreased respiratory sounds on the right side, hyperresonance on percussion, and distended neck veins. What is the most likely diagnosis?
NEET-PG 2015 - Surgery NEET-PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 51: What is the primary treatment for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer?
- A. Radiotherapy
- B. Surgical resection (Correct Answer)
- C. Surgical resection with adjuvant chemotherapy
- D. Immunotherapy
Explanation: ***Surgical resection*** - **Surgical resection** (lobectomy or segmentectomy with lymph node dissection) is the **primary and definitive treatment** for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (Stage I-II). - For **Stage IA disease**, surgery alone provides excellent outcomes with 5-year survival rates of 70-90%, and adjuvant chemotherapy is generally **not indicated**. - For **Stage IB-II**, surgery remains primary, with adjuvant chemotherapy considered selectively based on tumor size (>4 cm), poor differentiation, vascular invasion, or other high-risk features. - Complete surgical resection offers the **best chance of cure** for resectable early-stage NSCLC. *Surgical resection with adjuvant chemotherapy* - While this combination is important for **select early-stage cases** (high-risk Stage IB, Stage II-IIIA), it is **not the universal primary treatment** for all early-stage disease. - Adjuvant chemotherapy is an **addition** to surgery in specific scenarios, not part of the primary treatment for the majority of early-stage (especially Stage IA) patients. - Current guidelines recommend risk stratification before adding adjuvant therapy. *Radiotherapy* - **Radiotherapy** (stereotactic body radiotherapy/SBRT) is reserved for **medically inoperable** patients or those who refuse surgery. - It is not the primary treatment when the patient is a **surgical candidate**. - May be used as adjuvant therapy in patients with positive margins or N2 disease. *Immunotherapy* - **Immunotherapy** has emerging roles in neoadjuvant/adjuvant settings for resectable NSCLC (recent trials showing benefit). - However, it is **not established as primary monotherapy** for early resectable disease. - More commonly used in advanced/metastatic NSCLC or as part of combination regimens in clinical trial settings for early disease.
Question 52: What is the typical absorption duration of Polydioxanone sutures?
- A. 4 weeks
- B. 6 weeks
- C. 2 weeks
- D. 6 months (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Correct: 6 months*** - **Polydioxanone (PDS) sutures** are known for their **prolonged absorption time**, typically ranging from 180 to 210 days, or approximately 6 months. - This characteristic makes PDS sutures suitable for tissues requiring **extended support** during the healing process. - PDS retains approximately **50% tensile strength at 4 weeks** and **25% at 6 weeks**, with complete absorption occurring over 6-7 months. *Incorrect: 2 weeks* - An absorption duration of 2 weeks is characteristic of **rapidly absorbing sutures**, such as **chromic gut** or **fast-absorbing synthetic sutures**, which are used for tissues that heal quickly or require minimal support. - PDS sutures offer much longer tensile strength retention and absorption than this brief period. *Incorrect: 4 weeks* - A 4-week absorption time is considerably shorter than that of PDS sutures. This duration might be seen with some **intermediate-absorbing sutures**, but not with the long-lasting PDS. - Sutures absorbed in this timeframe would not provide sufficient support for tissues where PDS is typically indicated. *Incorrect: 6 weeks* - While longer than 2 or 4 weeks, 6 weeks (approximately 42 days) is still much shorter than the typical absorption profile of PDS sutures. - Sutures like **Vicryl Rapide** might fall into this absorption range, but PDS is designed for applications needing several months of support.
Question 53: Which type of surgical suture is known to cause the most tissue reaction?
- A. Plain Catgut
- B. Polydiaxonone
- C. Silk (Correct Answer)
- D. Chromic catgut
Explanation: ***Silk*** - Silk is a **natural, braided, non-absorbable suture** that is known to elicit a significant **inflammatory reaction** due to its natural protein composition and braided structure. - While it was historically used for its good handling properties, its high tissue reactivity makes it less ideal for situations where minimal scarring or inflammation is desired. - **Silk causes the most tissue reaction** among commonly used sutures. *Plain Catgut* - Plain catgut is a **natural, absorbable suture** derived from purified collagen of animal intestines, causing a moderate to high tissue reaction. - However, its absorption by enzymatic hydrolysis is relatively rapid, limiting the duration of the inflammatory response compared to non-absorbable natural materials like silk. *Polydiaxonone* - Polydiaxonone (PDS) is a **synthetic, monofilament, absorbable suture** known for causing a relatively **low tissue reaction**. - Its slow absorption profile and monofilament structure contribute to its minimal inflammatory response, making it suitable for tissues requiring prolonged support. *Chromic Catgut* - Chromic catgut is a treated form of plain catgut that has been coated with chromium salts, which prolong its absorption time and reduce its tissue reactivity compared to plain catgut. - Although it is still a natural, absorbable suture, its tissue reaction is **less than both plain catgut and silk**, but greater than synthetic monofilament sutures like PDS.
Question 54: What type of respiratory failure is most commonly observed in post-operative patients?
- A. Hypercapnic respiratory failure
- B. Mixed respiratory failure
- C. Perioperative respiratory failure
- D. Hypoxemic respiratory failure (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Hypoxemic respiratory failure*** - **Hypoxemic respiratory failure** (Type I) is characterized by a **PaO2 less than 60 mmHg** with a normal or low PaCO2, often due to **V/Q mismatch** and **shunt**. - Post-operative patients frequently develop **atelectasis**, **pneumonia**, or **pulmonary edema**, leading to impaired gas exchange and reduced oxygenation. - This is the **most commonly observed type** in the immediate post-operative period. *Hypercapnic respiratory failure* - **Hypercapnic respiratory failure** (Type II) is primarily due to **alveolar hypoventilation**, resulting in a **PaCO2 greater than 50 mmHg**. - While it can occur post-operatively, it is less common than hypoxemic failure and is typically seen with significant **sedation**, **neuromuscular blockade**, or severe **obstructive lung disease**. *Mixed respiratory failure* - **Mixed respiratory failure** involves both **hypoxemia** and **hypercapnia**, indicating severe impairment in both oxygenation and ventilation. - Although it can occur in severe post-operative complications, it is not the *most commonly observed initial presentation* compared to isolated hypoxemia. *Perioperative respiratory failure* - **Perioperative respiratory failure** (Type III) occurs specifically in the surgical setting and involves atelectasis from changes in chest wall mechanics. - While this occurs in the post-operative context, the term is less commonly used, and the **underlying mechanism is primarily hypoxemic** in nature.
Question 55: In which of the following cancers is intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) applicable?
- A. Gastric cancer
- B. Colon carcinoma
- C. Pancreatic carcinoma
- D. All of the options (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***All of the options*** - **Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT)** is applicable to all three cancers listed: gastric cancer, colon carcinoma, and pancreatic carcinoma. - IORT is a technique where a **single, high dose of radiation** is delivered to the tumor bed during surgery to improve local control and reduce late toxicity to surrounding healthy tissues. - All three cancers benefit from IORT due to their **high risk of local recurrence** and the ability to directly target the tumor bed while sparing adjacent critical organs. **Gastric cancer:** - IORT addresses **high rates of local recurrence** after conventional surgery, especially in locally advanced stages - Allows direct radiation of potentially involved regional lymph nodes or margins difficult to eradicate surgically - Particularly useful when complete surgical clearance carries excessive morbidity risk **Colon carcinoma:** - IORT considered in **locally advanced or recurrent disease**, particularly when tumors invade adjacent structures - Beneficial after resections with positive or close margins - Delivers high dose to microscopic residual disease in the tumor bed, avoiding damage to vital organs from external beam radiotherapy **Pancreatic carcinoma:** - High propensity for **local invasion and recurrence** makes IORT particularly relevant - Delivers high dose directly to tumor bed following resection when microscopic residual disease is suspected - Overcomes limitations of external beam radiation due to proximity of critical organs (duodenum, stomach, kidneys)
Question 56: An Incisional wound heals by
- A. Primary Healing (Correct Answer)
- B. Secondary Healing
- C. Epithelialization
- D. Delayed primary Healing
Explanation: ***Primary Healing*** - An **incisional wound** is typically a clean, sharply incised wound with **minimal tissue loss** and edges that can be approximated. - **Primary healing** (or first intention) occurs when the wound edges are surgically closed, leading to rapid healing with minimal scarring. *Secondary Healing* - This type of healing occurs in wounds with **significant tissue loss** or infection, where the edges cannot be approximated. - The wound must heal by **granulation tissue formation** and **wound contraction**, resulting in a larger scar. *Epithelialization* - **Epithelialization** is a vital process in all types of wound healing, where epithelial cells migrate to cover the wound surface. - However, it describes a *process* rather than a *mode* of overall wound healing for a closed incisional wound. *Delayed primary Healing* - **Delayed primary healing** (or tertiary intention) involves leaving a wound open for a period (e.g., to control infection or edema) before closing it surgically. - This approach is not typical for a clean incisional wound but is used in cases where primary closure is initially unsafe.
Question 57: What is the commonest site of peptic ulcer?
- A. Second part of the duodenum
- B. Distal third of the stomach
- C. Pylorus of the stomach
- D. First part of the duodenum (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***First part of the duodenum*** - The **duodenal bulb** (first part of the duodenum) is the most common location for peptic ulcers due to its proximity to the pylorus, where it's exposed to **acidic chyme** and susceptible to **H. pylori infection**. - The **mucosal defenses** in the duodenum are often less robust compared to the stomach, making it more vulnerable to acid-pepsin aggression. *Second part of the duodenum* - Ulcers in the **second part of the duodenum** are relatively rare compared to the first part. - This section receives bile and pancreatic secretions which help to **neutralize stomach acid**, providing greater protection. *Distal third of the stomach* - Ulcers in the **distal third of the stomach** are less common than in the first part of the duodenum. - While **gastric ulcers** do occur, they are more frequently found in the **antrum or lesser curvature** of the stomach. *Pylorus of the stomach* - Ulcers can occur in the **pylorus**, but they are not as frequent as those in the **duodenal bulb**. - Pyloric ulcers are considered a type of **gastric ulcer** and can be associated with gastric outlet obstruction.
Question 58: Which of the following statements accurately describes a subtotal thyroidectomy?
- A. Removal of one lobe and isthmus
- B. Removal of 1 lobe with isthmus and the second lobe partially (Correct Answer)
- C. Removal of both lobes leaving behind 6-8 grams of tissue
- D. Removal of entire thyroid with cervical lymphnodes
Explanation: ***Removal of 1 lobe with isthmus and the second lobe partially*** - A **subtotal thyroidectomy** involves removing one complete thyroid lobe along with the isthmus, and partially resecting the contralateral lobe, leaving behind a small remnant of approximately **4-8 grams** on one side. - This procedure preserves parathyroid function and the recurrent laryngeal nerve while reducing thyroid tissue, commonly used for **bilateral multinodular goiter** or **Graves' disease**. - The retained remnant maintains some thyroid function and reduces the risk of permanent **hypothyroidism** and **hypoparathyroidism**. *Removal of one lobe and isthmus* - This describes a **hemithyroidectomy** or **thyroid lobectomy**, which involves complete removal of one lobe with the isthmus. - It is typically performed for **unilateral thyroid nodules**, **follicular neoplasms**, or small **well-differentiated thyroid cancers**. - It does not involve any resection of the contralateral lobe. *Removal of both lobes leaving behind 6-8 grams of tissue* - This would describe a **bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy**, where tissue is left on both sides. - While historically performed, this is **not the standard definition** of "subtotal thyroidectomy," which specifically refers to leaving remnant tissue on only one side. - Modern practice has largely replaced this with more definitive procedures. *Removal of entire thyroid with cervical lymphnodes* - This describes a **total thyroidectomy with central or lateral neck dissection**, performed for **thyroid malignancies** with lymph node involvement. - It aims to achieve complete oncological clearance and is followed by radioactive iodine therapy in differentiated thyroid cancers. - No thyroid tissue is intentionally preserved.
Question 59: Which of the following statements about Branchial cysts is true:
- A. 50-70% are seen in lungs
- B. They are premalignant lesions
- C. Infection is uncommon in branchial cysts
- D. Most common site is lateral neck (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Most common site is lateral neck*** - **Branchial cleft cysts** typically present as a mass in the **lateral neck**, anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. - They are congenital anomalies resulting from incomplete obliteration of the branchial clefts during embryonic development. *50-70% are seen in lungs* - This statement is incorrect; branchial cysts are **cervical anomalous masses** arising from the branchial apparatus, not primarily found in the lungs. - Lung lesions are more commonly associated with congenital pulmonary airway malformations or bronchogenic cysts, which differ in origin. *They are premalignant lesions* - Branchial cysts are generally **benign lesions** and do not typically transform into malignancy. - While rare cases of carcinoma arising within a branchial cleft cyst have been reported, they are not considered routinely premalignant. *Infection is uncommon in branchial cysts* - Conversely, infection is a **common complication** of branchial cysts, often leading to sudden enlargement, pain, and erythema. - The presence of internal fluid and epithelial lining makes them susceptible to bacterial colonization and subsequent abscess formation.
Question 60: A 40-year-old male with chest trauma presents with breathlessness, decreased respiratory sounds on the right side, hyperresonance on percussion, and distended neck veins. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A. Tension Pneumothorax (Correct Answer)
- B. Flail Chest
- C. Myocardial Infarction
- D. Cardiac Tamponade
Explanation: ***Tension Pneumothorax*** - The classic triad of **breathlessness**, **decreased breath sounds** on the affected side, and **hyperresonance** on percussion following chest trauma is highly indicative of a tension pneumothorax. - **Distended neck veins** (jugular venous distension) occur due to increased intrathoracic pressure impeding venous return to the heart. *Cardiac Tamponade* - Characterized by **Beck's triad**: hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and jugular venous distension. - While **distended neck veins** are present, the absence of muffled heart sounds, the presence of decreased breath sounds, and hyperresonance point away from tamponade. *Flail Chest* - Defined by at least two contiguous ribs fractured in at least two places, leading to a **paradoxical movement** of the chest wall during respiration. - The key diagnostic feature of flail chest (paradoxical chest wall movement) is not described, nor are the breath sounds or percussion findings consistent with this diagnosis. *Myocardial Infarction* - Typically presents with **sudden chest pain**, often radiating to the left arm or jaw, and may cause breathlessness. - It does not cause **decreased breath sounds**, **hyperresonance**, or directly lead to these specific localized chest findings after trauma.