Postoperative complications: anastomotic leak: 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 · Postoperative complications: anastomotic leak

Sample item

On postoperative day 4 after low anterior resection, a patient develops tachycardia, fever, increasing abdominal pain, and purulent pelvic drain output. Which complication is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Anastomotic leak

Anastomotic leak often presents with systemic inflammatory signs, abdominal pain, and enteric or purulent drain output after colorectal surgery. It requires urgent assessment, imaging when appropriate, antibiotics, and source control.

Option by option

  • A. Uncomplicated urinary retention

    Urinary retention does not explain purulent pelvic drain output.

  • B. Superficial bruising

    Bruising does not cause fever or intra-abdominal sepsis.

  • C. Normal postoperative ileus

    Ileus causes distension and delayed bowel function but not purulent pelvic drainage and sepsis.

  • D. Anastomotic leak (correct)

    Correct. The timing and septic pelvic-drain findings strongly suggest a leak.

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.

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Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is D, Anastomotic leak. Anastomotic leak often presents with systemic inflammatory signs, abdominal pain, and enteric or purulent drain output after colorectal surgery.

Why is "Uncomplicated urinary retention" not the answer?

Urinary retention does not explain purulent pelvic drain output.

Why is "Superficial bruising" not the answer?

Bruising does not cause fever or intra-abdominal sepsis.

Why is "Normal postoperative ileus" not the answer?

Ileus causes distension and delayed bowel function but not purulent pelvic drainage and sepsis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Postoperative complications: anastomotic leak in General Surgery. It requires urgent assessment, imaging when appropriate, antibiotics, and source control.

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 Postoperative complications: anastomotic leak?

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.