Which condition involves the surgical removal of the gallbladder?

The correct answer is the surgical procedure known as cholecystectomy, which specifically refers to the removal of the gallbladder. This procedure is commonly performed to treat conditions associated with the gallbladder, such as gallstones or inflammation (cholecystitis). During a cholecystectomy, the surgeon may opt for an open surgery or a minimally invasive laparoscopic approach, depending on the patient's condition and the specific circumstances.

Understanding cholecystectomy's role is essential in the context of gallbladder-related disorders, as it effectively resolves symptoms and prevents complications that can arise from gallstones or other gallbladder diseases.

In contrast, a colostomy refers to creating an opening in the abdominal wall to divert a part of the colon to the outside of the body, while pancreatectomy involves the surgical removal of part or all of the pancreas, typically used in treating pancreatic cancer or chronic pancreatitis. Laparoscopy is a surgical technique that allows access to the abdominal cavity through small incisions, often used in performing various procedures, including cholecystectomy, but it does not specifically denote the removal of the gallbladder on its own.