Colorectal surgery: anal fistula: 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.

Try it

General Surgery · Colorectal surgery: anal fistula

Sample item

A patient has recurrent perianal abscesses and persistent purulent drainage from a small opening near the anus. What diagnosis is likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Fistula-in-ano

Fistula-in-ano is an abnormal tract between anal canal and perianal skin, often following cryptoglandular abscess. Mapping sphincter involvement is important before definitive surgery.

Option by option

  • A. Fistula-in-ano (correct)

    Correct. Recurrent abscess and chronic drainage are classic for anal fistula.

  • B. Anal fissure

    Anal fissure causes painful defecation and bleeding but not chronic pus drainage.

  • C. Rectal prolapse

    Rectal prolapse is circumferential protrusion of rectum.

  • D. Pilonidal sinus

    Pilonidal sinus occurs in the natal cleft.

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 A, Fistula-in-ano. Fistula-in-ano is an abnormal tract between anal canal and perianal skin, often following cryptoglandular abscess.

Why is "Anal fissure" not the answer?

Anal fissure causes painful defecation and bleeding but not chronic pus drainage.

Why is "Rectal prolapse" not the answer?

Rectal prolapse is circumferential protrusion of rectum.

Why is "Pilonidal sinus" not the answer?

Pilonidal sinus occurs in the natal cleft.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Colorectal surgery: anal fistula in General Surgery. Mapping sphincter involvement is important before definitive surgery.

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 Colorectal surgery: anal fistula?

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.