General Surgery Board Review Surgical Foundation 3

Question 1

Which suture material is contraindicated in contaminated or infected fields?

Accepted Answer

Braided polyester (Ethibond)

Answer

Braided multifilament sutures like polyester harbor bacteria in their interstices and are contraindicated in contaminated fields.

Question 2

The Shouldice repair for inguinal hernia primarily relies on which tissue layer for reconstruction?

Accepted Answer

Transversalis fascia

Answer

The Shouldice repair uses a four-layer imbrication of the transversalis fascia as the primary load-bearing repair.

Question 3

A 55-year-old develops chylous ascites after an aortic aneurysm repair. What is the initial treatment?

Accepted Answer

Medium-chain triglyceride diet and octreotide

Answer

A medium-chain triglyceride diet reduces chyle flow by bypassing intestinal lymphatics, and octreotide decreases lymphatic output.

Question 4

During thyroidectomy, injury to which nerve causes hoarseness?

Accepted Answer

Recurrent laryngeal nerve

Answer

The recurrent laryngeal nerve innervates all intrinsic laryngeal muscles (except cricothyroid); injury causes ipsilateral vocal cord paralysis and hoarseness.

Question 5

The Modified Radical Neck Dissection (MRND) preserves which three structures compared to a radical neck dissection?

Accepted Answer

Internal jugular vein, sternocleidomastoid, spinal accessory nerve

Answer

MRND removes cervical lymph nodes while preserving the internal jugular vein, sternocleidomastoid muscle, and spinal accessory nerve.

General Surgery Board Review Practice Test

General Surgery Board Review Practice Test

General Surgery Board Review Surgical Foundation 3