MS Surgery · Past Papers
MS FAQs
Compiled from 10 years of MS General Surgery papers. Topics marked Hot appear across 3+ papers; Frequent across 2.
Paper I covers basic surgical science - anatomy, physiology, pathology, perioperative principles, nutrition, and oncology. Short notes and long essays on applied anatomy and physiology are the dominant formats.
Must-Study Topics - Paper I
Shock - classification, pathophysiology & management
Metabolic response to injury - Ebb & Flow phases
Surgical anatomy of liver - Couinaud classification
Pancreatic function tests & CT severity index
Enterohepatic circulation
Arterial & lymphatic supply of stomach
Surgical anatomy of rectum & anal canal
Necrotising fasciitis & Fournier’s gangrene
Tumour markers in malignancy
TPN & enteral nutrition - indications, complications
Abdominal compartment syndrome - pathophysiology & management
Surgical audit - definition, steps, significance
ARDS - pathophysiology & management
Preoperative optimisation - obstructive jaundice & pheochromocytoma
Wound healing & NPWT
Detailed Topic List - Paper I
I. General Surgery - Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology
A. Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB)
- Pancreatic function tests and their importance to surgeryAsked 2×
- Arterial supply of gallbladder
- Bile secretion and functions of gallbladder
- Enterohepatic circulationAsked 2×
- Surgical anatomy of liverAsked 2×
- Couinaud classification of liver anatomy and relevance in liver resections
- Surgical anatomy and blood supply of pancreas (especially head)Asked 2×
- Gallbladder polyps
- CT severity index in acute pancreatitis
B. Gastrointestinal Tract
- Arterial supply of stomach
- Lymphatic drainage of stomach and surgical significanceAsked 3×
- Mechanisms preventing gastro-oesophageal reflux
- Helicobacter pylori - history and surgical significance
- Stages of management of enterocutaneous fistula; nutritional supplementation
- Role of endoscopic ultrasound in GI surgery
- Meckel’s diverticulum
- Congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
C. Anal Canal & Rectum
- Sphincters of anal canal and clinical applications
- Anatomical basis of fistula-in-ano
- Surgical anatomy of rectum and relationship to rectal carcinomaAsked 2×
- Surgical anatomy of anal canal
- Development of rectum and anal canal; anorectal malformations
D. Spleen, Infections & Parasitology
- Principles and complications of splenectomy
- Functions of spleen and consequences of splenectomy
- Necrotising fasciitis (etiopathogenesis, management, Fournier’s gangrene)Asked 2×
- Ascaris lumbricoides - life cycle, clinical features, surgical importanceAsked 2×
- Taenia solium - life cycle; prevention
- MRSA infections and control
- Hospital acquired infections
- AIDS & Surgeon; pathology of AIDSAsked 2×
- Echinococcus - life cycle, pathophysiology of cyst formation
II. Trauma, Shock & Resuscitation
- Different patterns of shock and fluid resuscitation
- Pathophysiology of haemorrhagic shock
- Pathophysiology of septic shock and managementAsked 2×
- Classification of shock; vasovagal, hypovolaemic shock
- Goal-directed fluid therapy in perioperative period
- ATLS - principles and important componentsAsked 2×
- Damage Control Surgery in general surgical emergencyAsked 2×
- Pathophysiology of head injury
- Secondary brain injury in trauma
- Management of blunt chest trauma
- Zones of neck and penetrating injury management
III. Perioperative Care & Critical Illness
- Discuss mediators of metabolic response to injuryAsked 2×
- Avoidable factors compounding response to injury
- Ebb & Flow model in metabolic response to injury
- SIRS - short note
- Preoperative preparation of obstructive jaundice & pheochromocytomaAsked 2×
- ARDS - pathophysiology and management
- Postoperative respiratory failure
- Performance status - ECOG / Karnofsky scoringAsked 2×
- Types of ventilatory support in critically ill patients
- Blood transfusion reactions; massive blood transfusion
- Pathophysiology of DIC and managementAsked 2×
- Metabolic acidosis - mechanisms and correctionAsked 2×
- Classify surgical wounds; surgical site infections
- Types of haemorrhage and management of secondary haemorrhageAsked 2×
IV. Oncology & Surgical Pathology
- Cancer genetics; inherited cancer syndromes (MEN I, Sipple)Asked 2×
- Tumour markers in malignancyAsked 4×
- TNM classification
- PET-CT scan - principles and role in cancerAsked 4×
- Principles of cancer prevention and early detection
- Cutaneous malignant melanoma
- Principles of combined chemotherapy in cancer
- Renal cell carcinoma - pathophysiology, features, management
V. Surgical Anatomy (Applied)
- Anatomy of scalp; neurovenous plane in parotid; facial nerve diagramAsked 2×
- Surgical anatomy of salivary glands; submandibular glandAsked 2×
- Anatomical basis of cleft lip and palate
- Surgical anatomy of posterior triangle of neck
- Lymph node levels in neck; central LN dissection in thyroid cancerAsked 2×
- Subphrenic spaces and clinical significanceAsked 2×
- Development and surgical anatomy of diaphragm
- Venous drainage of lower limb and applied significance
- Cervical ribAsked 2×
- Anatomy of inguinal canal; laparoscopic anatomy of inguinal herniaAsked 2×
- Loss of domain in ventral hernias - management optionsAsked 3×
- Risk factors and prophylaxis against venous thrombosis
- Pathophysiology of Buerger’s disease
VI. Nutrition
- Indications and complications of parenteral nutrition (TPN)Asked 3×
- Routes of enteral nutrition; advantages over TPNAsked 2×
- Nutritional assessment of surgical patient; MUST toolAsked 2×
- Indications of nutritional support in perioperative period
- TPN intestinal failure
VII. Perioperative Management, Ethics & Safety
- Surgical audit - planning, conduct, significanceAsked 8×
- Universal precautions & post-exposure prophylaxis for HIVAsked 2×
- WHO surgical safety checklistAsked 2×
- Hand washing technique and role in infection control
- Antibiotic prophylaxis in surgeryAsked 3×
- Thromboprophylaxis in surgical patient
- Bowel preparation methodsAsked 2×
- Principles of laparoscopic surgery; common operative problemsAsked 2×
- ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery)Asked 3×
- Abdominal compartment syndrome - pathophysiology & managementAsked 6×
- Evidence-based surgery - levels of evidence
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy - principles & indications
- Principles of laparoscopic & robotic surgeryAsked 2×
- Wound healing - mechanism, factors, NPWTAsked 2×
- Pressure sores - staging & modern managementAsked 2×
- Surgical simulation - concept and applications
- MRI - strengths, weaknesses, evolving usesAsked 2×
- Transplant rejection types & immunosuppressive therapyAsked 4×
- Growth factors and application in surgery
- Scaffold in tissue engineering
Paper II covers applied clinical surgery - trauma management, endocrine and breast surgery, gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary conditions, vascular surgery, paediatric surgery, and oncology principles. Mix of case-based and essay questions.
Must-Study Topics - Paper II
Polytrauma - primary & secondary survey algorithm
Pheochromocytoma - perioperative management
Thyroid - nodule, MNG, cancers, nodal dissection
Breast cancer - early, LABC, axillary management
Flail chest - causes, presentation, management
Abdominal compartment syndrome
Acute pancreatitis - causes, severity, management
Bile duct injuries - classification & management
Varicose veins - minimally invasive management
Colorectal syndromes - FAP, Peutz–Jeghers
Incisional hernia - etiology & management
Primary hyperparathyroidism
Detailed Topic List - Paper II
I. Trauma, Critical Care & General Principles
- Triage and its role in trauma management
- Algorithm of approach to polytrauma; primary and secondary surveyAsked 2×
- Pre-hospital care in trauma; early care of the injured patientAsked 2×
- Current status of volume replacement during trauma resuscitation
- Causes of shock; management of septic shockAsked 2×
- Flail chest / stove-in-chest - causes, managementAsked 6×
- Tension pneumothorax - features, haemodynamic effects, treatment
- Indications for emergency room thoracotomy
- Blunt abdominal trauma & splenic injury managementAsked 2×
- Abdominal compartment syndrome - etiopathogenesis & managementAsked 6×
- Neck trauma zones and significanceAsked 2×
- Burns - types, classification, management of 50% burnsAsked 3×
- Necrotising soft tissue infections; Fournier’s gangreneAsked 2×
- Antibiotic prophylaxis in clean and clean-contaminated surgeryAsked 3×
- SSI prevention in colonic surgery
- Various types of modern dressings in wound management
- Stages of a bed sore and prevention
- Post-operative fever and ileus managementAsked 2×
II. Endocrine & Breast Surgery
- Clinical features and management of solitary thyroid nodule; MNGAsked 3×
- Pathophysiology of Graves’ disease; management of hyperthyroidism
- Thyroid cancer - papillary, medullary; nodal spread; anatomy of cervical nodesAsked 2×
- Radioiodine therapy for benign and malignant thyroid disease
- Causes, features, management of primary hyperparathyroidismAsked 4×
- Preoperative evaluation and perioperative management of pheochromocytomaAsked 3×
- Anatomy of adrenal glands
- Diagnostic approach to suspected malignant breast lump
- Management of early breast cancer
- Locally advanced breast cancer; triple-negative breast cancerAsked 2×
- Role of breast imaging in breast cancer
- Evaluation and management of nipple dischargeAsked 3×
- Surgical anatomy of axilla; significance of ALND
- Role of SLNB in breast cancer; axillary reverse mappingAsked 2×
- Oncoplastic breast surgery - principles & indicationsAsked 4×
- Indications and surgical options for breast reconstructionAsked 2×
- Fibroadenoma; hereditary breast cancer; BRCA counselling
III. Gastrointestinal, Hepatobiliary & Pancreas
- Congenital tracheo-oesophageal fistula; malignant TEF managementAsked 2×
- POEM vs laparoscopic cardiomyotomy in achalasia cardia
- Complications and surgical management of peptic ulcer disease
- Acute upper GI bleeding - bleeding duodenal ulcer management
- Post-gastrectomy syndromes and management
- Japanese classification of lymph node stations for gastric carcinoma
- Adhesive small bowel obstruction - diagnosis, management, prevention
- Intussusception in adults
- Causes of neonatal obstruction and management
- Colorectal trauma management
- FAP syndrome - surgical optionsAsked 3×
- Peutz–Jeghers syndrome
- Bowel preparation in elective colorectal surgeryAsked 2×
- Enterocutaneous fistulae - description, classification, broad managementAsked 3×
- Various types of stomas and management of ileostomy
- Appendicitis - diagnosis; non-operative management (evidence-based)Asked 2×
- Causes, classifications, management of high fistula-in-anoAsked 2×
- Pilonidal sinusAsked 5×
- Diagnostic imaging in liver surgery; methods of haemostasis in liver surgery
- Hydatid cyst - pathology, scolicidal agents
- Hepato-renal syndrome and preparation of jaundiced patient for surgery
- CBD stones management; pre-operative biliary drainageAsked 3×
- Iatrogenic bile duct injuries - classification, outline managementAsked 4×
- Acute pancreatitis - causes, severity stratification, classificationAsked 3×
- Chronic pancreatitis - classification and surgical managementAsked 2×
- Cystic tumours of pancreas - classification
- Etiopathogenesis and management of pancreatic pseudocystAsked 3×
- Principles of investigation and management of malignant pancreatic tumours
IV. Vascular, Urology & Miscellaneous
- Acute limb ischaemia - features, treatment
- Aortoiliac occlusive disease - management option
- Principles of management of infrarenal aortic aneurysmAsked 2×
- Buerger’s disease
- Complications of varicose veins; minimally invasive managementAsked 7×
- DVT - pathophysiology, features, prevention in pelvic surgeryAsked 4×
- Minimally invasive approaches for renal stonesAsked 3×
- Undescended testis managementAsked 2×
- Testicular germ cell tumours - classification and managementAsked 2×
- Carcinoma prostate - clinical presentation and management
- Premalignant conditions of penis; carcinoma penis
- Congenital diaphragmatic herniaAsked 2×
- Complications of groin hernia; strangulated groin hernia managementAsked 2×
- Etiology and management of incisional hernia
- Umbilical hernia in cirrhosis and ascites
V. Oncology, Technology & Nutrition
- Tumour markers and role in oncologyAsked 4×
- Cell cycle phases; where cancer therapies act
- Principles and role of targeted therapy in cancers
- Monoclonal antibodies and surgical significance
- PET scan - procedure, role in malignancies
- Cutaneous malignant melanoma classification & SLNB
- Extremity soft tissue sarcoma
- Types of transplant rejection and immunosuppressantsAsked 4×
- Role of laparoscopic surgery in abdominal cancers
- ERAS in gastrointestinal surgeryAsked 3×
- Sutures - properties of polypropylene, silk, polyglactin
- TPN and complications
- Indications and access for enteral nutrition
- Nutritional management of short bowel syndrome
- Calculation of calorie and protein requirements post-operatively
- Obesity surgery - sleeve gastrectomy vs gastric bypassAsked 4×
- Surgical ethics and legal issues concerning organ donation
- Surgical audit (approach, planning, conduct)Asked 8×
Paper III is the operative surgery paper. Questions ask for steps, complications, and surgical decision-making across all surgical systems. The format is predominantly long essays. Priority: thyroidectomy, oesophagectomy, pheochromocytoma prep, perforated PU, TME, radical nephrectomy, parotidectomy, neck dissection.
Super High-Yield Operative Topics - Paper III
Total thyroidectomy - steps, pre- & post-op complications
Pheochromocytoma - preoperative preparation & operative steps
Perforated peptic ulcer - surgical management
Carcinoma oesophagus - transhiatal oesophagectomy (THE)
TME - total mesorectal excision
Radical nephrectomy; RCC with IVC thrombus
Superficial parotidectomy - steps & complications
Neck dissection - radical vs modified, incisions, complications
Modified radical mastectomy - steps, complications
Radical cholecystectomy for GBC - incidental GBC management
Pancreatic pseudocyst - surgical options
Hydatid cyst liver - operative steps
Detailed Topic List - Paper III
1. Abdomen & General Surgery
- Abdominal compartment syndrome - definition, diagnosis, managementAsked 6×
- Bail-out laparotomy in acute abdomen - principles & components
- Laparostomy - indications and management
- Management of acute appendicitisAsked 2×
- Surgical options in appendicular perforation
- Diagnosis and management of RIF pain in 8-year-old girl
- Below-knee amputation - steps and late complicationsAsked 3×
- Splenectomy - elective vs emergency, steps, complications
2. Oesophagus
- Surgical management of squamous cell carcinoma 30 cm from incisors
- Siewert type I GE junction tumour - procedureAsked 2×
- Surgical options for carcinoma oesophagus; steps of THEAsked 3×
- Indications of VATS and steps of thoracolaparoscopic oesophagectomy in prone position
- Procedures for achalasia cardia; steps of Heller’s myotomy
- Surgical options for enteral feeding in complete dysphagia
3. Stomach & Duodenum
- Surgical management of perforated peptic ulcerAsked 5×
- Surgery for carcinoma stomach in pyloric region & complicationsAsked 2×
- Palliative procedures for advanced carcinoma stomachAsked 2×
- Types of gastrectomy; steps of total gastrectomy
- Lymphatic drainage of stomach; D2 gastrectomyAsked 3×
- Surgical management of GERD
- Types of pyloroplasty; techniques and outcomes
- Surgical approach to duodenal perforation peritonitisAsked 2×
4. Small Intestine, Colon & Rectum
- Acute mesenteric ischaemia - surgical managementAsked 2×
- Sigmoid volvulus - management
- Ileal perforation - approach and treatment
- Extended right hemicolectomy in carcinoma hepatic flexure
- Total mesorectal excision (TME) - indications, technique, outcomeAsked 5×
- Low anterior resection - steps
- Total proctocolectomy + ileal pouch-anal anastomosis
- Toxic megacolon in UC - management
- Hemicolectomy for ileocaecal TB vs malignancy - differences
- Minimally invasive modalities for rectal cancer
- Ileostomies - types; continent ileostomy
- SMA syndrome - management
5. Anorectal / Perianal
- Fistula-in-ano - classification; LIFT procedure; high intersphincteric fistulaAsked 4×
- Haemorrhoids - Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomyAsked 2×
- Pilonidal sinus - rhomboid flap and surgical proceduresAsked 5×
- Perianal fistula - operative procedures
6. Hepatobiliary & Pancreas
- Cholecystectomy; intraoperative CBD injury management
- Difficult cholecystectomy - problems and solutions
- Radical cholecystectomy for GBC (incidental and staged)Asked 3×
- Critical view of safety in LC - steps and utility
- Subtotal cholecystectomy - types, technique, outcome
- Biliary stricture - early vs late repair
- Laparoscopic bile duct exploration - steps
- Choledochal cyst - types and surgery
- Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy - steps
- Hydatid cyst liver - surgeryAsked 3×
- Liver trauma - operative management, DCSAsked 2×
- Liver resections - types
- Hepatic metastasis from CRC - surgical options
- Pancreatic pseudocyst - surgical optionsAsked 3×
- Whipple’s pancreaticoduodenectomy - complications & management
- Pylorus-preserving PD - steps and complications
- Chronic pancreatitis - surgical managementAsked 2×
7. Endocrine & Breast
- Total thyroidectomy - steps, complicationsAsked 9×
- Toxic MNG - preoperative prep and surgery
- Medullary carcinoma thyroid - management
- Pheochromocytoma - preoperative preparation & operative stepsAsked 8×
- Modified radical mastectomy - steps, complicationsAsked 3×
- Breast conservation surgery - indications, steps, follow-upAsked 3×
- Oncoplastic breast surgery - classification, techniquesAsked 4×
- Immediate vs delayed reconstruction; skin-sparing mastectomy
- Locally advanced breast cancerAsked 2×
- Phyllodes tumourAsked 2×
8. Head & Neck
- Neck dissections - classification, incisions, radical/modified, complicationsAsked 5×
- Thyroglossal cyst - Sistrunk procedureAsked 2×
- Superficial parotidectomy - steps and complicationsAsked 5×
- Submandibular gland surgery - steps and complications
- Cleft lip surgery
- Carcinoma lip - surgical options
- Carcinoma lateral tongue - treatment
- BCC cheek - managementAsked 2×
9–12. Urology, Hernia, Vascular & Miscellaneous
- Radical nephrectomy - steps; RCC with IVC thrombusAsked 4×
- PUJ obstruction - surgical procedures (pyeloplasty)Asked 2×
- Radical cystectomy for bladder carcinoma
- Hypospadias - types, distal surgical options
- Undescended testis - operative procedures (orchidopexy)Asked 2×
- Hydrocele surgeryAsked 3×
- Urethroplasty
- Inguinal hernia - Lichtenstein repair, TAPP repair - steps & complicationsAsked 5×
- Strangulated/obstructed inguinal hernia - management
- Femoral hernia - procedures (Lockwood, McEvedy, Lotheisen)
- Triangle of pain and nerves in TEP
- Component separation techniques - open vs minimally invasiveAsked 3×
- TAR (transversus abdominis release) - steps
- Peripheral vascular disease - revascularisation procedures; lumbar sympathectomyAsked 3×
- Varicose veins - surgical options, laser, minimally invasiveAsked 7×
- Acute embolic occlusion - operative procedure for limb salvage
- Flail chest - managementAsked 6×
- Thoracotomy in blunt trauma - indications, stepsAsked 2×
- Tracheostomy - steps, complications
- Cervical rib excision - anatomy, steps, complicationsAsked 2×
- Bariatric procedures - classification; laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy; RYGBAsked 4×
Paper IV focuses on recent advances, technology, and evolving concepts across all surgical specialties. High weight on robotic surgery, advanced oncology, newer techniques in hernia and colorectal surgery, and critical care advances. Questions test awareness of current evidence and contemporary practice.
Must-Study Topics - Paper IV
Robotic surgery - advantages, limitations, vs laparoscopy
Bariatric surgery - sleeve gastrectomy, mini-bypass, complications
Achalasia cardia - Heller’s myotomy, POEM, newer modalities
Rectal cancer surgery - TME, TaTME, ULAS, IORT, ERAS, coning
HIPEC - current role in peritoneal surface malignancy
Colorectal liver metastases - surgery, ablation, chemotherapy sequencing
Bile duct injury in LC - prevention, Indian guidelines, radiology
ICG & image-guided surgery - navigation-aided surgery
Sentinel lymph node biopsy - current status
Thyroidectomy - steps, complications, solitary nodule management
Staplers in surgery - types, uses, recent advances
Augmented reality, 3D printing, simulation training
Loss of domain in ventral hernias; TAR, eTEP, component separation
GERD - diagnosis, surgical management, newer techniques
Detailed Topic List - Paper IV
I. Minimal Access Surgery & Technology
- Robotic surgery - types, uses, vs laparoscopy, advantages & disadvantages
- Staplers in surgery - circular, GIA, TA, EEA; powered staplers
- SILS (single-port laparoscopic surgery) - current status, advantages, disadvantages
- Image-guided surgery; navigation-aided surgery - clinical implications
- Role of ICG fluorescence imaging in surgical patients
- LASER - types and applications in surgery
- Energy devices - what is new? Harmonic scalpel; RF ablation
- Augmented reality and surgeons; computer-aided surgery
- 3D printing in surgery
- Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair
- Transanal endoscopic microsurgery - indications, contraindications, complications
II. Surgical Oncology & Recent Advances
- Sentinel node biopsy - current status in breast & other cancers
- HIPEC - current role; peritoneal surface malignancies
- PIPAC (Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy)
- Perioperative chemotherapy; biological/targeted therapy in cancer
- Immunotherapy in management of cancers
- Adenoma–carcinoma sequence; adjuvant regimens for carcinoma rectum
- Role of adjuvant therapy for gastric cancer
- Liquid biopsies in cancer
- Newer methods in colorectal cancer screening
- PET-CT scan in surgical practiceAsked 4×
- DNA-based markers; targeted therapy in carcinoma breast
III. Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic (Recent Advances)
- Approach to liver metastasis in colorectal cancer; neoadjuvant chemo in synchronous metastasis
- Bilio-vascular injuries in cholecystectomy; Indian guidelines
- Revised definitions in acute pancreatitis (Atlanta); prognostication
- Preoperative portal vein embolization in hepatic resections
- Advances in determining resectability in pancreatic cancer (NCCN criteria)
- Current concepts in incidental gallbladder cancer
- Rendezvous technique for CBD stonesAsked 3×
- Recent advances in hepatocellular carcinoma
- TIPSS
- Insulinoma - diagnosis and management
IV. Breast Surgery (Recent Advances)
- Recent trends in management of axilla in early breast cancer (N0 axilla)
- Targeted axillary dissection after neoadjuvant therapy
- Oncoplastic breast surgery - principles, surgical options for reconstructionAsked 4×
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer; newer agents
- Advances in hormonal treatment of carcinoma breast
- Advances in lobular carcinoma in situ & molecular classification
- Genetic counselling in breast cancer
V. Gastrointestinal (Recent Advances)
- Rectal cancer surgery - TME, TaTME, ULAR, IORT, ERAS, coning, medial-to-lateral approachAsked 3×
- Extra-levator APR; anterior resection syndrome
- Treatment of achalasia cardia; POEM - current status
- Newer methods in management of GERD
- Recent concepts in appendicitisAsked 2×
- Repair of fistula-in-ano - enumerate techniques; mucosal advancement flap
- Novel radiotherapy techniques for anal cancer; STARR procedure
- Acute mesenteric ischaemia - operative managementAsked 2×
- Recent advances in short bowel syndrome
- Posterior component separation; eTEP repair; loss of domain correctionAsked 3×
- Various types of meshes; composite mesh; prosthetic meshes
- Desarda’s repair
VI. Critical Care, Trauma & Fluid Management
- Balanced crystalloids vs NS; colloids vs crystalloids
- Hypertonic resuscitation and damage control resuscitation in trauma
- Advances in fluid management in trauma
- NICE recommendations for post-op IV fluid therapy
- Damage control surgery vs early total careAsked 2×
- Retroperitoneal haematoma classification and management
- Abdominal compartment syndromeAsked 6×
- Surviving Sepsis Campaign - major recommendations
- Necrotising fasciitis - managementAsked 2×
- Central line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI)
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia
VII. Vascular, Endocrine & Bariatric (Recent)
- Endovenous laser therapy in varicose veins; CEAP classificationAsked 7×
- Contemporary management of critical limb ischaemia
- Acute SMA thrombosis management
- Buerger’s disease - unilateral limb management
- Focused parathyroidectomy
- Advances in differentiated thyroid cancer management
- Management of a 2 cm solitary thyroid nodule in a 50-year-old womanAsked 3×
- Sleeve gastrectomy - steps; compare with RYGBAsked 4×
- Mini gastric bypass (OAGB) - indications and steps
Topics repeated across 3 or more MS surgery papers in the last 10 years. This is the single most important revision list - if a topic appears here, it must be exam-ready.
| # | Topic | System |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Total thyroidectomy - steps & complicationsAsked 9× | Endocrine |
| 2 | Pheochromocytoma - prep & surgeryAsked 8× | Endocrine |
| 3 | Robotic surgery - advantages, limitations, vs lapAsked 7× | Technology |
| 4 | Perforated peptic ulcer - modern managementAsked 5× | Stomach |
| 5 | Modified radical mastectomy - steps, complicationsAsked 3× | Breast |
| 6 | Radical nephrectomy - steps; RCC with IVC thrombusAsked 4× | Urology |
| 7 | Superficial parotidectomy - steps & complicationsAsked 5× | Head & Neck |
| 8 | Neck dissections - classification, incisions, complicationsAsked 5× | Head & Neck |
| 9 | TME - indications, technique, outcomesAsked 7× | Colorectal |
| 10 | Transhiatal oesophagectomy - steps & complicationsAsked 3× | Oesophagus |
| 11 | Bile duct injury in LC - prevention, Indian guidelinesAsked 4× | HPB |
| 12 | Pancreatic pseudocyst - surgical optionsAsked 3× | HPB |
| 13 | Radical cholecystectomy - incidental GBCAsked 3× | HPB |
| 14 | Hydatid cyst liver - surgeryAsked 3× | HPB |
| 15 | Inguinal hernia - Lichtenstein, TAPP steps & complicationsAsked 5× | Hernia |
| 16 | Incisional hernia - component separation, TAR, loss of domainAsked 6× | Hernia |
| 17 | Sentinel lymph node biopsy - current statusAsked 4× | Breast/Onco |
| 18 | Breast conservation surgery - indications, stepsAsked 3× | Breast |
| 19 | Colorectal liver metastases - surgery, ablation, sequencingAsked 5× | HPB |
| 20 | Achalasia cardia - Heller’s myotomy, POEMAsked 5× | Oesophagus |
| 21 | Varicose veins - surgery, endovenous, CEAPAsked 7× | Vascular |
| 22 | Axilla management in early breast cancerAsked 5× | Breast |
| 23 | Tumour markers in malignancyAsked 4× | Oncology |
| 24 | Acute pancreatitis - revised Atlanta, prognostication, necrosectomyAsked 5× | HPB |
| 25 | Surgical audit - planning, conduct, significanceAsked 8× | Ethics |
| 26 | Staplers in surgery - circular, usesAsked 4× | Technology |
| 27 | Flail chest - managementAsked 6× | Trauma |
| 28 | HIPEC - current roleAsked 6× | Oncology |
| 29 | ICG / navigation-aided surgeryAsked 4× | Technology |
| 30 | Energy devices - harmonic, laser, RF ablationAsked 4× | Technology |
| 31 | Strangulated inguinal hernia - managementAsked 5× | Hernia |
| 32 | Abdominal compartment syndromeAsked 7× | Critical Care |
| 33 | Necrotising fasciitisAsked 3× | Infections |
| 34 | Balanced crystalloids vs saline; NICE guidanceAsked 2× | Critical Care |
| 35 | Pilonidal sinus - surgical proceduresAsked 5× | Anorectal |
| 36 | Fistula-in-ano - classification, LIFT, mucosal flapAsked 4× | Anorectal |
| 37 | Oncoplastic breast surgery - principles, classificationAsked 4× | Breast |
| 38 | Sepsis - SSC guidelines, VAP, CLABSIAsked 3× | Critical Care |
| 39 | Bariatric surgery - sleeve, bypass, complicationsAsked 8× | Bariatric |
| 40 | Targeted therapy in cancerAsked 3× | Oncology |
| 41 | Haemorrhoids - pathogenesis, Milligan-Morgan, staplersAsked 4× | Anorectal |
| 42 | Below-knee amputation - steps & complicationsAsked 3× | Vascular |
| 43 | Splenectomy - elective vs emergencyAsked 4× | General |
| 44 | Diabetic foot - diagnostic work-up & newer managementAsked 3× | Vascular |
| 45 | Abdominal tuberculosis - unusual sites & surgical managementAsked 3× | GI |
| 46 | Lobular carcinoma in situ & molecular classification of breast cancerAsked 2× | Breast |
| 47 | Prosthetic meshes - types, composite meshesAsked 3× | Hernia |
| 48 | Augmented reality; 3D printing; simulation trainingAsked 3× | Technology |
| 49 | Computer-aided / navigation-aided surgeryAsked 3× | Technology |
| 50 | Damage control surgery vs early total careAsked 3× | Trauma |