Pancreas: Whipple procedure: 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 · Pancreas: Whipple procedure

Sample item

Which structures are removed in a classical pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure)?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Pancreatic head, duodenum, distal bile duct, gallbladder and distal stomach

The Whipple procedure removes the pancreatic head, duodenum, distal common bile duct, gallbladder and antrum of the stomach, followed by reconstruction with pancreatic, biliary and gastric anastomoses to the jejunum. A pylorus-preserving variant retains the stomach. It treats periampullary and resectable pancreatic head cancers.

Option by option

  • A. Left lobe of the liver and pancreas body

    Liver resection is not part of the operation.

  • B. Entire pancreas and spleen only

    The spleen is not routinely removed.

  • C. Pancreatic head, duodenum, distal bile duct, gallbladder and distal stomach (correct)

    Correct. These are the components of the resection.

  • D. Pancreatic tail and spleen

    That describes a distal pancreatectomy.

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 C, Pancreatic head, duodenum, distal bile duct, gallbladder and distal stomach. The Whipple procedure removes the pancreatic head, duodenum, distal common bile duct, gallbladder and antrum of the stomach, followed by reconstruction with pancreatic, biliary and gastric anastomoses to the jejunum.

Why is "Left lobe of the liver and pancreas body" not the answer?

Liver resection is not part of the operation.

Why is "Entire pancreas and spleen only" not the answer?

The spleen is not routinely removed.

Why is "Pancreatic tail and spleen" not the answer?

That describes a distal pancreatectomy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pancreas: Whipple procedure in General Surgery. A pylorus-preserving variant retains the stomach. It treats periampullary and resectable pancreatic head cancers.

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 Pancreas: Whipple procedure?

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.