Vascular surgery: superficial thrombophlebitis: 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 · Vascular surgery: superficial thrombophlebitis

Sample item

A man has a tender cord along the thigh, and duplex shows thrombus in the great saphenous vein extending right up to the saphenofemoral junction. What is the appropriate management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Therapeutic anticoagulation or ligation of the junction

Thrombus approaching the saphenofemoral junction can propagate into the femoral vein and embolise, so it is treated like a DVT with anticoagulation or surgical ligation. Isolated distal superficial thrombophlebitis can be treated with NSAIDs and compression.

Option by option

  • A. Observation as it is a superficial vein

    Observation risks pulmonary embolism.

  • B. Therapeutic anticoagulation or ligation of the junction (correct)

    Correct. Thrombus at the junction needs anticoagulation or ligation.

  • C. Stripping of the vein only

    Stripping alone does not prevent propagation into the deep vein.

  • D. Oral NSAIDs and compression alone

    NSAIDs and compression suit distal disease only.

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 B, Therapeutic anticoagulation or ligation of the junction. Thrombus approaching the saphenofemoral junction can propagate into the femoral vein and embolise, so it is treated like a DVT with anticoagulation or surgical ligation.

Why is "Observation as it is a superficial vein" not the answer?

Observation risks pulmonary embolism.

Why is "Stripping of the vein only" not the answer?

Stripping alone does not prevent propagation into the deep vein.

Why is "Oral NSAIDs and compression alone" not the answer?

NSAIDs and compression suit distal disease only.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vascular surgery: superficial thrombophlebitis in General Surgery. Isolated distal superficial thrombophlebitis can be treated with NSAIDs and compression.

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 Vascular surgery: superficial thrombophlebitis?

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.