Esophageal surgery: achalasia treatment: 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 · Esophageal surgery: achalasia treatment

Sample item

Which procedure directly divides the lower-esophageal sphincter muscle to treat achalasia?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Heller myotomy

Heller myotomy reduces lower-esophageal sphincter outflow resistance in achalasia, often combined with an antireflux procedure. Pneumatic dilation and peroral endoscopic myotomy are other treatment options.

Option by option

  • A. Whipple procedure

    Whipple procedure treats selected pancreatic or periampullary disease.

  • B. Nissen fundoplication only

    Fundoplication treats reflux by reinforcing the antireflux barrier.

  • C. Heller myotomy (correct)

    Correct. Myotomy addresses the nonrelaxing lower sphincter.

  • D. Hartmann procedure

    Hartmann procedure is a colorectal operation.

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 C, Heller myotomy. Heller myotomy reduces lower-esophageal sphincter outflow resistance in achalasia, often combined with an antireflux procedure.

Why is "Whipple procedure" not the answer?

Whipple procedure treats selected pancreatic or periampullary disease.

Why is "Nissen fundoplication only" not the answer?

Fundoplication treats reflux by reinforcing the antireflux barrier.

Why is "Hartmann procedure" not the answer?

Hartmann procedure is a colorectal operation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Esophageal surgery: achalasia treatment in General Surgery. Pneumatic dilation and peroral endoscopic myotomy are other treatment options.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 Esophageal surgery: achalasia treatment?

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.