Breast and endocrine surgery: parathyroid autotransplantation: 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 · Breast and endocrine surgery: parathyroid autotransplantation

Sample item

During total thyroidectomy a parathyroid gland is found to be devascularised and dusky. What is the recommended action?

AFix it to the trachea with suturesBDiscard itCLeave it in place and hope for recoveryDMince and implant it into the sternocleidomastoid muscle

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Mince and implant it into the sternocleidomastoid muscle

A devascularised parathyroid is confirmed histologically if needed, then autotransplanted as fragments into a well-vascularised muscle such as sternocleidomastoid (or forearm muscle) to preserve function and reduce permanent hypoparathyroidism.

Option by option

A. Fix it to the trachea with sutures
Suturing to the trachea gives no blood supply.
B. Discard it
Discarding it raises the risk of permanent hypocalcaemia.
C. Leave it in place and hope for recovery
A dusky gland left in situ is likely to remain non-functional.
D. Mince and implant it into the sternocleidomastoid muscle (correct)
Correct. Implanting fragments into muscle can restore function.

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.

Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is D, Mince and implant it into the sternocleidomastoid muscle. A devascularised parathyroid is confirmed histologically if needed, then autotransplanted as fragments into a well-vascularised muscle such as sternocleidomastoid (or forearm muscle) to preserve function and reduce permanent hypoparathyroidism.

Why is "Fix it to the trachea with sutures" not the answer?

Suturing to the trachea gives no blood supply.

Why is "Discard it" not the answer?

Discarding it raises the risk of permanent hypocalcaemia.

Why is "Leave it in place and hope for recovery" not the answer?

A dusky gland left in situ is likely to remain non-functional.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Breast and endocrine surgery: parathyroid autotransplantation in General Surgery. The correct option holds because: Correct. Implanting fragments into muscle can restore function.

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 Breast and endocrine surgery: parathyroid autotransplantation?

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.