What is a cholecystectomy?

A cholecystectomy refers specifically to the surgical removal of the gallbladder. This procedure is often performed when a person has gallstones that cause pain or other complications, such as inflammation or infection of the gallbladder (cholecystitis). The gallbladder is a small organ that stores bile, which is produced by the liver and helps in the digestion of fats. When the gallbladder becomes problematic, its removal can alleviate symptoms and prevent further issues.

The other choices describe entirely different procedures: removing kidney stones is known as a nephrolithotomy or ureteroscopy, appendectomy refers to the removal of the appendix, and hernia repair involves surgical techniques to correct a hernia, which is the protrusion of an organ through the wall of the cavity that contains it. Each of these operations addresses distinct medical conditions unrelated to the gallbladder.