As the NEET PG 2025 exam is approaching, medical aspirants are busy revising the huge syllabus of surgery, which they want to know in detail. Yet, due to the limited time, it is much more efficient to use an intelligent and organised approach than merely read all the facts. To be successful, it is important to focus on preparation, revision, and managing time effectively. 

In order to assist you in focusing your efforts, the following is a list of the most important and high-yield topics in surgery that every MBBS student must consider. Mastering these key areas will not only strengthen your foundational knowledge but also boost your performance in university examinations and competitive tests like NEET PG.

What are the Important Topics of Surgery in MBBS?

The following are the important topics of surgery in MBBS:

1. Core Principles of Surgery

• Wound classification and stages of healing
• Mechanisms involved in coagulation
• Septic and haemorrhagic shock – causes, clinical features, and management
• Gangrene and Diabetic foot – complications and treatment principles
• Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and the fundamentals of oncology
• Antibiotic and tetanus prophylaxis in surgical practice
• Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV
• Blood transfusion reactions and their complications
• Delayed primary sutures and secondary haemorrhage
• Bedsores (decubitus ulcers) – prevention and management
• Enteral nutrition and metabolic derangements, such as alkalosis
• Day-care surgery principles
• Shock management – hypovolaemic, septic, and cardiogenic types
• Tubercular lymphadenopathy and related complications
• Common antitubercular drugs and their adverse effects
• Drugs in oncology, such as 5-Fluorouracil

2. Investigations and Diagnostic Procedures

• Imaging techniques, including CT scan, MRI, and PET-CT
• FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma)
• Ultrasound and isotopic renography
• Endoscopic procedures – ERCP, MRCP, colonoscopy, and endoscopic ultrasonography
• Mammography and its role in breast lesion evaluation
• Identification of intra-abdominal radiopaque shadows and their causes

3. Peri-operative and Anaesthetic Care

• Preparation for anaesthesia and preoperative assessment
• Regional and spinal anaesthesia – advantages, indications, and complications
• Epidural and caudal blocks
• Endotracheal intubation – indications and technique
• Loco-regional anaesthesia principles and postoperative care

4. Trauma and Emergency Surgery

• Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) guidelines
• Glasgow Coma Scale – significance in head injury assessment
• Extradural haematoma – clinical presentation and management
• Triage in mass casualty scenarios (e.g., bus accident injuries)
• Wound care in roadside trauma
• Physiological response to trauma and shock resuscitation

5. Orthopaedics

• Fracture management – open, closed, and pathological fractures
• Colles’ fracture, supracondylar fracture of the humerus, and intracapsular fracture of the neck of the femur
• Compartment syndrome – features, diagnosis, and treatment
• Osteomyelitis (acute, chronic, pyogenic) and necrotising fasciitis
• Congenital and acquired deformities – CTEV, genu valgum, clubfoot
• Rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis – clinical features and management
• Bone tumours – osteosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, osteoclastoma, osteochondroma
• Nerve injuries and their classification
• Pelvic fractures, Volkmann’s ischaemic contracture, Monteggia fracture dislocation
• Rickets and its orthopaedic manifestations
• Myositis ossificans, Sudeck’s dystrophy, and Pott’s paraplegia
• Principles of splintage (Thomas splint, B-splint)
• Post-hip dislocation management and carpal tunnel syndrome

6. Skin and Subcutaneous Disorders

• Burns management and fluid replacement
• Basal cell carcinoma, SCC, and malignant melanoma – diagnosis and spread
• Premalignant lesions and carbuncles
• Collar-stud abscess, cellulitis, and inhalation injury

7. Head and Neck Surgery

• Thyroglossal cyst/fistula, cystic hygroma, and ranula
• Salivary gland tumours – pleomorphic adenoma and parotid anatomy
• Carcinoma of the tongue – risk factors and investigations
• Dentigerous cyst, jaw tumours, and epulis
• Lockjaw (trismus) – causes and management
• Tongue-tie and its correction

8. Breast and Endocrine System

• Triple assessment and classification of breast cancer
• Fibroadenoma, phyllodes tumour, and Paget’s disease of the breast
• Thyroid gland – anatomy, hormone synthesis, and pathology
• Carcinoma of the thyroid and its management
• Goitre, thyrotoxicosis, and hyperparathyroidism
• Breast abscess – diagnosis and drainage
• Pheochromocytoma – features and treatment
• Lymphatic drainage of the breast

9. Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery

• Pneumothorax (spontaneous and tension), haemothorax, and tube thoracostomy
• Blunt chest trauma and ARDS
• Paradoxical respiration management
• Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and invasive investigations for CAD
• Varicose veins, DVT, fat embolism, and Buerger’s disease
• Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) – causes and surgical management

10. Abdominal Surgery

• Gallstones, appendicitis, and acute pancreatitis
• Carcinoma of the oesophagus, rectum, and caecum – diagnosis and management
• Peptic ulcer disease and perforated duodenal ulcer complications
• Hernias – inguinal, strangulated, and femoral types
• Splenectomy – indications and complications
• Hydatid cyst, Meckel’s diverticulum, and fistula-in-ano
• Intestinal obstruction (A-dynamic and acute)
• Megacolon, pyloric stenosis, and peptic ulcer surgery
• Biliary tract surgery – laparoscopic cholecystectomy and carcinoma of the pancreas
• Appendicular lump management
• Electrolyte imbalance in surgical cases (e.g., hypokalaemia, alkalosis)
• Ulcerative colitis – surgical indications

11. Genitourinary Surgery

• Hydrocele, varicocele, torsion testis, and undescended testis
• Carcinoma of the bladder, kidney, and penis
• Wilms’ tumour and seminoma
• Hypospadias and phimosis
• Urinary incontinence, ureteric calculi, and hydronephrosis
• Testicular tumours – staging, markers, and management
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – indications for surgery and complications

12. Transplantation and Miscellaneous Topics

• Liver transplantation – indications and procedure overview
• Chemical sterilisation
• Sterilisation
• Fluid and electrolyte balance – hyperkalaemia, hyponatraemia
• Nutritional support in surgical patients

Why are MBBS Surgery Topics Important for NEET PG Preparation?

The topics mentioned above have been carefully chosen based on their repeated appearance in previous examinations and their significance in clinical practice. Understanding these areas thoroughly is vital for every medical student, for the following reasons:

• High-Scoring Areas

These surgery topics for the NEET PG exam are not only frequently featured in exams but also form the cornerstone of practical surgical understanding essential for clinical situations.

• Handling Complex Cases

A good understanding of these topics makes students well-informed to handle difficult surgical questions that both test their level of concepts and practice.

• Integrated Learning

Surgery tends to cross-link with other fields like the field of Medicine, Radiology, and Pathology. The mastery of these subjects will encourage improved interdisciplinary integration and improve clinical reasoning.

How Can You Prepare Effectively for NEET PG Surgery?

Both conceptual understanding and planning are needed in the preparation of surgery for NEET PG. These are some of the tips which can improve your preparation:

• Integrate with Related Subjects

Combine the study of surgery with anatomy, radiology, and pathology to enhance your knowledge of practical concepts and clinical associations.

• Analyse Before Choosing Answers

You must carefully evaluate all the provided options, then choose the one that is the most accurate, because surgical questions can be seen as a test of how well you can distinguish similar conditions.

• Focus on Applied Anatomy

Build a solid foundation in applied anatomy to interpret surgical questions correctly and understand the anatomical basis of various procedures.

• Practise Extensively

Do MCQs regularly and go through past years’ papers to understand the type of questions asked and the most recurrent topics that are covered in NEET PG surgery.

FAQs about Important Topics of Surgery in MBBS 

1. How should I prioritise topics while studying surgery in MBBS?

Focus first on high-yield topics such as wound healing, shock management, hernias, thyroid disorders, and gastrointestinal conditions, as these frequently appear in both university and NEET PG exams.

2. Is studying surgery alone enough for NEET PG?

No, surgery is closely related to other studies such as anatomy, pathology, and radiology, and by combining your studies in these three disciplines, you are guaranteed more comprehensive knowledge and better grades.

3. How can I improve my accuracy in MBBS surgery MCQs?

You can improve your accuracy in surgery MCQs by practising past papers and topic-wise MCQs regularly. Reviewing explanations helps solidify conceptual clarity.

4. Which surgical topics are scoring in NEET PG?

Hernias, thyroid and breast disorders, trauma management, burns, and gastrointestinal surgeries are among the highest-scoring and most frequently tested topics.

5. Which is the best Indian author’s book for MBBS surgery?

SRB’s Manual of Surgery by Sriram Bhat is considered the most reliable Indian author book for undergraduate students. It adheres to the current CBME syllabus and covers all the critical surgical concepts that one needs to study in MBBS.

Conclusion

Learning the above-mentioned important topics of surgery in MBBS lays a strong foundation for both clinical practice and postgraduate entrance exams like NEET PG. By focusing on such high-yield areas, understanding applied anatomy, and practising consistently, students can develop a clear conceptual framework that enhances both theoretical knowledge and practical application. A strategic, integrated study approach ultimately transforms surgical preparation into lasting medical competence.

However, for that, you need the right study partner. DocTutorials can be your ideal choice in this regard, offering concise, high-yield notes, mock tests, live sessions with experts, video lectures, PYQs, and more.   

MBBS Surgery simplified by DocTutorials!