Colorectal surgery: volvulus: 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 · Colorectal surgery: volvulus

Sample item

A patient with sigmoid volvulus has peritonitis, shock, and endoscopic evidence of ischemic mucosa. What is the next management principle?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Emergency laparotomy with resection and source control

Ischemia, perforation, or peritonitis in volvulus mandates emergency surgery rather than endoscopic decompression alone. Resuscitation and broad-spectrum antibiotics accompany operative management.

Option by option

  • A. Repeated endoscopic decompression only

    Endoscopic decompression is unsuitable when ischemia or peritonitis is present.

  • B. Observe for spontaneous detorsion

    Observation risks perforation and death.

  • C. Emergency laparotomy with resection and source control (correct)

    Correct. Ischemic bowel and shock require immediate operative source control.

  • D. High-fiber diet and discharge

    Dietary management does not treat strangulated bowel.

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, Emergency laparotomy with resection and source control. Ischemia, perforation, or peritonitis in volvulus mandates emergency surgery rather than endoscopic decompression alone.

Why is "Repeated endoscopic decompression only" not the answer?

Endoscopic decompression is unsuitable when ischemia or peritonitis is present.

Why is "Observe for spontaneous detorsion" not the answer?

Observation risks perforation and death.

Why is "High-fiber diet and discharge" not the answer?

Dietary management does not treat strangulated bowel.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Colorectal surgery: volvulus in General Surgery. Resuscitation and broad-spectrum antibiotics accompany operative management.

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 Colorectal surgery: volvulus?

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.