What is the primary treatment procedure for symptomatic gallstones?

The primary treatment procedure for symptomatic gallstones is cholecystectomy, which involves the surgical removal of the gallbladder. This procedure is indicated when gallstones lead to symptoms such as pain, nausea, or complications like cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder). By removing the gallbladder, the source of the gallstones is eliminated, significantly reducing the chances of future episodes and associated complications.

Other options like colonoscopy, endoscopy, and ultrasound serve different purposes. Colonoscopy is primarily used for examining the colon and diagnosing conditions such as colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. Endoscopy is a procedure that allows visualization of the gastrointestinal tract but is not aimed at treating gallstones directly. Ultrasound, while useful for diagnosing gallstones, is not a treatment; it is a diagnostic tool that can confirm the presence of gallstones and assess their size or complications but does not resolve the problem. Thus, cholecystectomy remains the definitive treatment for symptomatic gallstones.