Stomach: bleeding duodenal ulcer: 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 · Stomach: bleeding duodenal ulcer

Sample item

A man with a known duodenal ulcer develops massive haematemesis and shock. At surgery a posterior wall ulcer has eroded into an artery. Which vessel is most likely involved?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Gastroduodenal artery

A posterior duodenal wall ulcer lies against the gastroduodenal artery behind the first part of the duodenum, so erosion causes torrential bleeding. Treatment is endoscopic haemostasis, angio-embolisation or under-running the vessel at surgery. Anterior ulcers tend to perforate while posterior ulcers bleed.

Option by option

  • A. Left gastric artery

    The left gastric artery supplies the lesser curve and is a relation of gastric ulcers.

  • B. Splenic artery

    The splenic artery is related to posterior gastric ulcers or the pancreas.

  • C. Right gastroepiploic artery

    The right gastroepiploic artery runs along the greater curve.

  • D. Gastroduodenal artery (correct)

    Correct. The gastroduodenal artery lies posterior to the first part of the duodenum.

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.

More General Surgery questions

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is D, Gastroduodenal artery. A posterior duodenal wall ulcer lies against the gastroduodenal artery behind the first part of the duodenum, so erosion causes torrential bleeding.

Why is "Left gastric artery" not the answer?

The left gastric artery supplies the lesser curve and is a relation of gastric ulcers.

Why is "Splenic artery" not the answer?

The splenic artery is related to posterior gastric ulcers or the pancreas.

Why is "Right gastroepiploic artery" not the answer?

The right gastroepiploic artery runs along the greater curve.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Stomach: bleeding duodenal ulcer in General Surgery. Treatment is endoscopic haemostasis, angio-embolisation or under-running the vessel at surgery. Anterior ulcers tend to perforate while posterior ulcers bleed.

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 Stomach: bleeding duodenal ulcer?

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.