Trauma and burns: flaps and microvascular surgery: 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 · Trauma and burns: flaps and microvascular surgery

Sample item

Which statement about flaps is correct?

AA free flap requires microvascular anastomosis, whereas a pedicled TRAM flap relies on the superior epigastric vesselsBA pedicled flap is detached from its blood supplyCRandom flaps have a named vesselDLatissimus dorsi flap is supplied by the thoracodorsal artery and cannot be used for breast reconstruction

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. A free flap requires microvascular anastomosis, whereas a pedicled TRAM flap relies on the superior epigastric vessels

Flaps carry their own blood supply. Pedicled flaps remain attached, such as the TRAM flap based on the superior epigastric artery and the latissimus dorsi flap based on the thoracodorsal artery, both used in breast reconstruction. Free flaps are detached and reconnected by microsurgery. Random pattern flaps have no named axial vessel.

Option by option

A. A free flap requires microvascular anastomosis, whereas a pedicled TRAM flap relies on the superior epigastric vessels (correct)
Correct. This distinguishes free and pedicled flaps accurately.
B. A pedicled flap is detached from its blood supply
Pedicled flaps keep their vascular pedicle.
C. Random flaps have a named vessel
Random flaps lack a named vessel.
D. Latissimus dorsi flap is supplied by the thoracodorsal artery and cannot be used for breast reconstruction
Latissimus dorsi is widely used for breast reconstruction.

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 A, A free flap requires microvascular anastomosis, whereas a pedicled TRAM flap relies on the superior epigastric vessels. Flaps carry their own blood supply.

Why is "A pedicled flap is detached from its blood supply" not the answer?

Pedicled flaps keep their vascular pedicle.

Why is "Random flaps have a named vessel" not the answer?

Random flaps lack a named vessel.

Why is "Latissimus dorsi flap is supplied by the thoracodorsal artery and can…" not the answer?

Latissimus dorsi is widely used for breast reconstruction.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Trauma and burns: flaps and microvascular surgery in General Surgery. Pedicled flaps remain attached, such as the TRAM flap based on the superior epigastric artery and the latissimus dorsi flap based on the thoracodorsal artery, both used in breast reconstruction. Free flaps are detached and reconnected by microsurgery. Random pattern flaps have no named axial vessel.

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 Trauma and burns: flaps and microvascular surgery?

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.