Gastrointestinal surgery: anastomotic leak risk factors: practice question

A General Surgery question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Surgery · Gastrointestinal surgery: anastomotic leak risk factors

Sample item

On day 5 after low anterior resection, a malnourished steroid-treated patient develops fever, tachycardia, and faeculent drain output. Which factor is least likely to have contributed to this complication?

AUse of a well-vascularised tension-free anastomosisBHypoalbuminaemiaCLow rectal anastomosisDPreoperative steroid use

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Use of a well-vascularised tension-free anastomosis

Leak risks include tension, poor blood supply, malnutrition, steroids, low pelvic anastomosis, male sex, smoking, and emergency surgery. A well-perfused tension-free join is protective. A diverting stoma reduces the consequences of leak.

Option by option

A. Use of a well-vascularised tension-free anastomosis (correct)
Correct. Good perfusion and no tension protect against leak.
B. Hypoalbuminaemia
Low albumin impairs healing.
C. Low rectal anastomosis
Low anastomoses leak more often.
D. Preoperative steroid use
Steroids impair healing.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is A, Use of a well-vascularised tension-free anastomosis. Leak risks include tension, poor blood supply, malnutrition, steroids, low pelvic anastomosis, male sex, smoking, and emergency surgery.

Why is "Hypoalbuminaemia" not the answer?

Low albumin impairs healing.

Why is "Low rectal anastomosis" not the answer?

Low anastomoses leak more often.

Why is "Preoperative steroid use" not the answer?

Steroids impair healing.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gastrointestinal surgery: anastomotic leak risk factors in General Surgery. A well-perfused tension-free join is protective. A diverting stoma reduces the consequences of leak.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Gastrointestinal surgery: anastomotic leak risk factors?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.