Abdominal wall: burst abdomen: 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 · Abdominal wall: burst abdomen

Sample item

On the 8th day after emergency laparotomy for perforation, a patient has a copious salmon-pink serous discharge from the midline wound, with the skin still intact. What is the most appropriate management?

AApply an abdominal binder and dischargeBOral antibiotics and observationCReturn to theatre for re-closure of the fascia under general anaesthesiaDRemove skin sutures at the bedside

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Return to theatre for re-closure of the fascia under general anaesthesia

A sudden discharge of serosanguinous peritoneal fluid from a wound around days 7 to 10 warns of fascial dehiscence. The skin is covered with a saline dressing and the patient is returned to theatre for re-suturing, with correction of risk factors such as sepsis, malnutrition and cough. Evisceration is an emergency.

Option by option

A. Apply an abdominal binder and discharge
A binder and discharge delay treatment and risk evisceration at home.
B. Oral antibiotics and observation
Antibiotics do not address the failing fascial layer.
C. Return to theatre for re-closure of the fascia under general anaesthesia (correct)
Correct. The discharge signals impending fascial failure, so urgent re-closure is needed.
D. Remove skin sutures at the bedside
Removing skin sutures at the bedside risks evisceration.

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 C, Return to theatre for re-closure of the fascia under general anaesthesia. A sudden discharge of serosanguinous peritoneal fluid from a wound around days 7 to 10 warns of fascial dehiscence.

Why is "Apply an abdominal binder and discharge" not the answer?

A binder and discharge delay treatment and risk evisceration at home.

Why is "Oral antibiotics and observation" not the answer?

Antibiotics do not address the failing fascial layer.

Why is "Remove skin sutures at the bedside" not the answer?

Removing skin sutures at the bedside risks evisceration.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Abdominal wall: burst abdomen in General Surgery. The skin is covered with a saline dressing and the patient is returned to theatre for re-suturing, with correction of risk factors such as sepsis, malnutrition and cough. Evisceration is an emergency.

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 Abdominal wall: burst abdomen?

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.