ABSA TEST REVIEW - SUTURES AND WOUND REPAIR/GENERAL SURGERY COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES

ABSA TEST REVIEW - SUTURES AND WOUND REPAIR/GENERAL SURGERY COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES 1. Who discovered that the body absorbs sutures made from animal tissues? A) Joseph Lister B) Philip Syng Physick C) William Halsted D) Ambroise Paré Correct Answer: B) Philip Syng Physick Rationale: Philip Syng Physick is credited with discovering that the body absorbs sutures made from animal tissues. He was an American surgeon who made significant contributions to surgical techniques and materials in the early 19th century. ________________________________________ 2. Which suture material is NOT absorbed but remains as living tissue in the body? A) Surgical gut B) Polyglactin 910 C) Fascia lata D) Polydioxanone Correct Answer: C) Fascia lata Rationale: Fascia lata is an autogenous graft material harvested from the patient's own thigh fascia. When used as a suture, it does not get absorbed but rather becomes incorporated as living tissue within the body, serving as a permanent support structure. ________________________________________ 3. What is the space caused by separation of wound edges which have not been closely approximated by sutures called? A) Dead space B) Wound sinus C) Fistula tract D) Seroma cavity Correct Answer: A) Dead space Rationale: Dead space refers to the empty area that remains when wound edges are not properly approximated during closure. This space can accumulate fluid, blood, or serum, potentially leading to hematoma, seroma, or infection. Proper surgical technique aims to eliminate dead space during wound closure. ________________________________________ 4. An interrupted suture placed through tissue from one side of the wound to the other and then back through tissue again is called: A) Simple interrupted B) Figure-eight C) Mattress D) Continuous locking Correct Answer: C) Mattress Rationale: A mattress suture involves passing the needle through tissue from one side, across the wound, and then back through the tissue on the opposite side before tying. This technique provides excellent wound edge eversion and is used when wound edges need to be brought together under tension. ________________________________________ 5. Suture material which during healing process becomes encapsulated by fibrous tissue is called: A) Absorbable suture B) Non-absorbable suture C) Biological suture D) Synthetic suture Correct Answer: B) Non-absorbable suture Rationale: Non-absorbable sutures remain in the tissue permanently and become surrounded by fibrous tissue through the process of encapsulation. This fibrous capsule forms as part of the body's foreign body response, isolating the permanent suture material from surrounding tissues. ________________________________________ 6. In the presence of infection, the absorption rate of surgical gut is: A) Decreased B) Unchanged C) Increased D) Completely halted Correct Answer: C) Increased Rationale: Surgical gut absorption is accelerated in the presence of infection due to increased enzymatic activity and inflammatory responses. Bacteria produce proteolytic enzymes that break down the collagen-based suture material more rapidly than in normal healing tissue. ________________________________________ 7. Which suture can be used in presence of infection? A) Surgical gut B) Polypropylene C) Silk D) Cotton Correct Answer: B) Polypropylene Rationale: Polypropylene is a monofilament non-absorbable synthetic suture that resists bacterial adherence and does not harbor microorganisms. Its inert nature and lack of braiding make it suitable for use in infected or potentially contaminated surgical fields. ________________________________________ 8. Suture in which short lateral stitches are taken beneath the wound edges is called: A) Interrupted B) Subcuticular C) Vertical mattress D) Continuous Correct Answer: B) Subcuticular