Hernia and abdominal wall: mesh choice for intraperitoneal repair: 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 · Hernia and abdominal wall: mesh choice for intraperitoneal repair

Sample item

A laparoscopic ventral hernia repair will place the mesh on the peritoneal surface in direct contact with bowel. Which mesh is appropriate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Composite mesh with an anti-adhesive visceral coating

Uncoated meshes placed against bowel cause dense adhesions and can erode into the gut, causing fistula. In the intraperitoneal onlay position, a composite or coated mesh with a barrier on the visceral surface is used.

Option by option

  • A. Composite mesh with an anti-adhesive visceral coating (correct)

    Correct. An anti-adhesive visceral barrier limits adhesions and erosion when mesh touches bowel.

  • B. Uncoated polyester mesh

    Uncoated polyester has the same problem of adhesion to viscera in the intraperitoneal position.

  • C. Plain uncoated polypropylene mesh

    Plain polypropylene against bowel provokes dense adhesions and risks enterocutaneous fistula.

  • D. Stainless steel wire mesh

    Stainless steel mesh is rigid and poorly tolerated, and has been abandoned in favour of softer synthetic meshes.

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 A, Composite mesh with an anti-adhesive visceral coating. Uncoated meshes placed against bowel cause dense adhesions and can erode into the gut, causing fistula.

Why is "Uncoated polyester mesh" not the answer?

Uncoated polyester has the same problem of adhesion to viscera in the intraperitoneal position.

Why is "Plain uncoated polypropylene mesh" not the answer?

Plain polypropylene against bowel provokes dense adhesions and risks enterocutaneous fistula.

Why is "Stainless steel wire mesh" not the answer?

Stainless steel mesh is rigid and poorly tolerated, and has been abandoned in favour of softer synthetic meshes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hernia and abdominal wall: mesh choice for intraperitoneal repair in General Surgery. In the intraperitoneal onlay position, a composite or coated mesh with a barrier on the visceral surface is used.

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 Hernia and abdominal wall: mesh choice for intraperitoneal repair?

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.