General Surgery Board Review Technology & Digital Applications 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which imaging modality uses magnetic resonance to generate intraoperative guidance without ionizing radiation, often called 'iMRI'?
- Intraoperative CT
- Intraoperative MRI (Correct answer)
- Fluoroscopy
- Cone-beam CT
Correct answer: Intraoperative MRI
Intraoperative MRI (iMRI) provides real-time high-resolution soft-tissue imaging without ionizing radiation, used particularly in neurosurgery and increasingly in general surgery.
Question 2: In the context of surgical simulation, what does 'haptic feedback' refer to?
- Visual cues on a monitor during simulation
- Force and tactile sensation transmitted to the trainee's hands (Correct answer)
- Audio alerts indicating incorrect technique
- Real-time video overlay of anatomy
Correct answer: Force and tactile sensation transmitted to the trainee's hands
Haptic feedback reproduces the sense of touch and resistance, allowing trainees to feel tissue tension and instrument forces during virtual simulation.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the role of PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) in surgical workflow?
- Manages operating room scheduling
- Stores, retrieves, and distributes medical images digitally (Correct answer)
- Controls robotic instrument movements
- Monitors intraoperative vital signs
Correct answer: Stores, retrieves, and distributes medical images digitally
PACS digitally archives and distributes radiologic images, replacing physical film and enabling instant access from any workstation.
Question 4: During laparoscopic surgery, 'smoke evacuation systems' are used primarily to address which technological and safety concern?
- Reducing CO2 insufflation pressure
- Clearing surgical plume containing potentially harmful particles and viruses (Correct answer)
- Improving camera lens clarity by cooling
- Preventing instrument condensation
Correct answer: Clearing surgical plume containing potentially harmful particles and viruses
Surgical plume generated by electrosurgery or lasers contains carcinogens, viruses, and particulates; smoke evacuators filter this hazard from the operative field.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of 'near-infrared fluorescence imaging' using indocyanine green (ICG) during surgery?
- Real-time tumor metabolic activity mapping
- Visualization of tissue perfusion, bile ducts, and lymphatics (Correct answer)
- Identification of nerve fibers intraoperatively
- Measurement of intraabdominal pressure
Correct answer: Visualization of tissue perfusion, bile ducts, and lymphatics
ICG fluoresces under near-infrared light to highlight perfusion, bile duct anatomy, and sentinel lymph nodes, aiding intraoperative decision-making.
Question 6: Which cybersecurity threat is most directly relevant to internet-connected surgical robots and OR equipment?
- Phishing attacks targeting nursing staff email
- Ransomware disabling device control software mid-procedure (Correct answer)
- Social engineering of hospital administrators
- Insider theft of patient billing data
Correct answer: Ransomware disabling device control software mid-procedure
Ransomware targeting networked OR devices could disable robotic or monitoring systems during active surgery, representing a direct patient safety threat.
Question 7: In telemedicine-assisted surgery (telementoring), what is the greatest technical limitation affecting real-time guidance?
- Inability to transmit video at sufficient resolution
- Network latency causing delayed audio and video feedback (Correct answer)
- Lack of standardized credentialing frameworks
- Incompatibility of laparoscopic tower outputs
Correct answer: Network latency causing delayed audio and video feedback
Network latency introduces delay between mentor action/instruction and trainee response, which can be hazardous in time-critical surgical moments.
General Surgery Board Review Technology & Digital Applications 2
Which imaging modality uses magnetic resonance to generate intraoperative guidance without ionizing radiation, often called 'iMRI'?