General Surgery Thesis Topics for Postgraduates: Top 100 Ideas 2026

General Surgery PG thesis topics cover the broadest operative landscape of any surgical specialty. MS General Surgery students in India have access to high-volume emergency and elective surgical lists, giving them excellent material for prospective observational studies, RCTs, and quality improvement research. Choosing the right thesis topic — one that is feasible within 3 years, has adequate cases, and addresses a genuine evidence gap — is the most important early decision of your surgical residency.

1Why General Surgery Research Matters in 2026

Surgical disease accounts for a substantial and growing proportion of the disease burden in India. From emergency presentations such as appendicitis and hollow viscus perforations to elective oncological and laparoscopic procedures, general surgery units in Indian tertiary hospitals manage thousands of operative cases per year. This high volume creates an unparalleled environment for audit-based research, comparative surgical studies, and quality improvement projects that are both publishable and clinically meaningful.

Comparative surgical research — comparing two operative techniques, two approaches, or two management strategies — is the dominant thesis design in general surgery. Such studies are feasible within a 3-year residency, have clear outcome measures (operative time, complications, hospital stay, recurrence), and produce results that directly inform clinical practice. A well-executed prospective cohort study comparing two approaches in a common surgical condition is among the most respected thesis types at MS examinations.

2Abdominal Surgery & GI Thesis Topics (1–20)

1. Comparison of open vs laparoscopic appendicectomy: operative time, complications, and hospital stay
2. Negative appendicectomy rate: predictive role of Alvarado score and ultrasound
3. Complicated appendicitis (perforation/abscess): non-operative vs early surgical management outcomes
4. Obstructive jaundice: aetiology spectrum and outcome of ERCP vs surgical decompression
5. Peptic ulcer perforation: Boey scoring, operative techniques, and 30-day mortality
6. Small intestinal obstruction: aetiology, conservative vs surgical management, and outcome
7. Primary inguinal hernia repair: Lichtenstein vs laparoscopic TEP/TAPP — recurrence and pain
8. Ventral hernia repair: open vs laparoscopic approach — mesh outcomes and seroma rates
9. Emergency midline laparotomy: audit of indications, complications, and mortality
10. Postoperative ileus: incidence, risk factors, and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols
11. Gastric outlet obstruction: aetiology (malignant vs benign) and surgical outcomes
12. Acute mesenteric ischaemia: clinical presentation, operative findings, and mortality predictors
13. Umbilical hernia repair in cirrhotic patients: risk stratification and outcomes
14. Gallstone ileus: presentation, Rigler's triad frequency, and operative management
15. Oesophageal perforation: aetiology, timing of surgery, and morbidity outcomes
16. Damage control surgery in abdominal trauma: indications and staged repair outcomes
17. Anastomotic leak after colorectal surgery: incidence, risk factors, and management
18. Surgical site infection (SSI) after abdominal surgery: incidence, organism profile, and prevention bundle outcomes
19. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol implementation: outcomes in elective colorectal cases
20. Adhesive small bowel obstruction: laparoscopic adhesiolysis vs open — outcomes and recurrence

3Breast & Endocrine Surgery Thesis Topics (21–35)

21. Modified radical mastectomy vs breast conservation surgery in early breast cancer: oncological and cosmetic outcomes
22. Sentinel lymph node biopsy in early breast cancer: false negative rate and axillary recurrence
23. Breast reconstruction after mastectomy: types, complications, and patient satisfaction
24. HER2-positive breast cancer: clinico-pathological profile and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy
25. Nipple discharge: diagnostic algorithm, ductoscopy, and histopathological spectrum
26. Thyroid nodule evaluation: TIRADS classification, FNAC correlation, and surgical outcomes
27. Papillary thyroid carcinoma: total vs hemithyroidectomy — recurrence and complication rates
28. Parathyroid adenoma: clinical presentation, imaging localisation accuracy, and surgical cure rates
29. Post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia: incidence, risk factors, and calcium management protocol
30. Goitre surgery: intraoperative nerve monitoring vs standard dissection — RLN palsy rates
31. Adrenal incidentaloma: workup, functional status, and laparoscopic adrenalectomy outcomes
32. Fibroadenoma management: conservative vs surgical — recurrence and patient satisfaction
33. Gynaecomastia: aetiology, grading, and surgical correction outcomes
34. Phyllodes tumour: local recurrence after wide excision and predictors of malignant behaviour
35. Triple assessment of breast lump: sensitivity and specificity of clinical examination, ultrasound, and FNAC

4Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery Thesis Topics (36–50)

36. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: conversion to open — incidence, predictors, and outcomes
37. Acute cholecystitis: Tokyo guidelines severity grading and early vs delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy
38. Post-cholecystectomy bile duct injury: incidence, classification (Strasberg), and repair outcomes
39. Choledocholithiasis: endoscopic clearance (ERCP) vs laparoscopic CBD exploration — outcomes
40. Hepatocellular carcinoma: resectability criteria, surgical margins, and recurrence predictors
41. Liver metastases from colorectal cancer: hepatic resection outcomes and survival
42. Living donor liver transplantation: donor evaluation, complications, and graft outcomes
43. Biliary atresia: Kasai portoenterostomy timing and outcomes
44. Choledochal cyst: types, presentation, Todani classification, and surgical outcomes
45. Acute pancreatitis with necrosis: step-up approach (antibiotics + drainage) vs open necrosectomy
46. Chronic pancreatitis: Frey vs Beger procedure — pain relief and long-term outcomes
47. Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure): morbidity, mortality, and 5-year survival
48. Distal pancreatectomy: open vs laparoscopic approach — complications and oncological outcomes
49. Portal hypertension surgery: splenorenal shunt vs TIPS — outcomes and encephalopathy rates
50. Hydatid liver disease: PAIR vs surgical cystectomy — recurrence and complication rates

5Colorectal Surgery Thesis Topics (51–65)

51. Colorectal cancer: staging at presentation, resection rates, and 1-year survival in a tertiary centre
52. Low anterior resection vs abdominoperineal resection in low rectal cancer: oncological and functional outcomes
53. Diverting stoma creation: loop ileostomy vs loop colostomy — complications and reversal rates
54. Haemorrhoidal disease: stapled haemorrhoidopexy vs Milligan-Morgan — pain, recurrence, and continence
55. Pilonidal sinus disease: Limberg flap vs wide excision and healing by secondary intention
56. Anal fistula: fistulotomy vs LIFT vs seton — recurrence and continence outcomes
57. Rectal prolapse: Delorme's vs Altemeier's perineal procedure — recurrence and functional outcome
58. Diverticulitis complications: Hartmann's procedure vs primary anastomosis — outcomes and reversal rates
59. Ulcerative colitis requiring surgery: restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch — functional outcomes
60. Synchronous colorectal liver metastases: simultaneous vs staged resection outcomes
61. Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy vs open: short-term and oncological outcomes
62. Incontinence after anorectal surgery: incidence, assessment tools (Wexner score), and management
63. Pelvic floor disorders: functional outcomes after pelvic floor repair surgery
64. Hirschsprung's disease: Swenson vs Soave pull-through — complications and long-term bowel function
65. Polyp surveillance after colorectal cancer resection: adenoma recurrence and interval cancer rates

6Vascular, Trauma & Laparoscopic Surgery Thesis Topics (66–85)

66. Varicose veins: endovenous laser ablation vs foam sclerotherapy vs high ligation and stripping
67. Deep vein thrombosis: prophylaxis compliance, diagnosis, and anticoagulation outcomes
68. Critical limb ischaemia: outcomes of revascularisation vs primary amputation
69. Diabetic foot ulcer: Wagner grading, vascular assessment, and limb salvage rates
70. Blunt abdominal trauma: FAST scan accuracy, non-operative vs operative management
71. Penetrating abdominal trauma: organ injury spectrum, damage control, and mortality
72. Road traffic accident injuries: patterns, ISS scoring, and surgical outcome in a level 1 trauma centre
73. Arteriovenous fistula for haemodialysis: patency rates, complications, and predictors of failure
74. Peripheral arterial disease: ABI correlation with symptom severity and revascularisation outcomes
75. Carotid artery stenosis: duplex ultrasound grading and surgical vs stent outcomes
76. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: weight loss, comorbidity resolution, and 1-year outcomes
77. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: metabolic outcomes and nutritional deficiencies at 2 years
78. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication: symptom relief, DeMeester score, and reflux control at 1 year
79. Single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy vs standard four-port: pain, cosmesis, and complications
80. Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery: learning curve, operative time, and outcomes vs conventional laparoscopy
81. Laparoscopic repair of perforated peptic ulcer: conversion rate, peritoneal lavage adequacy, and outcome
82. Day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy: safety, patient satisfaction, and readmission rates
83. Drain use after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: benefits vs risks in routine and complicated cases
84. Conversion from laparoscopic to open surgery: predictive factors and impact on outcomes
85. NOTES (natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery): feasibility and outcomes in select centres

7Oncological Surgery & Burns Thesis Topics (86–100)

86. Soft tissue sarcoma: wide local excision margins, local recurrence, and adjuvant therapy outcomes
87. Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST): imatinib response, resection, and recurrence
88. Primary retroperitoneal tumours: diagnostic workup, resectability, and surgical outcomes
89. Lymph node dissection in oral cavity cancer: elective vs selective — recurrence and morbidity
90. Neck dissection complications: seroma, chyle leak, shoulder dysfunction — incidence and management
91. Wound dehiscence after major surgery: incidence, risk factors, and secondary closure outcomes
92. Necrotising fasciitis: LRINEC scoring, surgical debridement frequency, and mortality
93. Burns management: fluid resuscitation (Parkland formula accuracy), donor site healing, and skin grafting outcomes
94. Inhalation injury with burns: management protocol, ventilatory support, and mortality
95. Marjolin's ulcer in chronic wounds: clinical presentation, surgical management, and recurrence
96. Pressure sore management: flap coverage techniques and recurrence after surgical repair
97. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in wound healing: evidence from a controlled trial in diabetic foot wounds
98. Lymphoedema management: decongestive lymphatic therapy vs surgical options — limb volume reduction
99. Port-wine stain and vascular malformations: laser vs surgical treatment outcomes
100. Re-do surgery after failed primary operations: complications, technical challenges, and outcomes