Sutures and Wound Repair/ General Surgery (ABSA) Practice Test

What is the primary goal of performing a cholecystectomy?

1. To repair bile ducts

2. To remove the gallbladder

3. To decrease peptic secretion

4. To relieve gastric pressure

The correct answer is: To remove the gallbladder

The primary goal of performing a cholecystectomy is to remove the gallbladder. This procedure is typically indicated in cases of gallstones, cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), or other gallbladder-related disorders. When the gallbladder is removed, it alleviates symptoms such as pain, nausea, and vomiting that are often associated with gallstone disease. By taking out the gallbladder, the body can no longer form or harbor gallstones, thereby preventing future complications such as infections or pancreatitis. While bile duct repair is a separate surgical intervention that may be performed in specific cases involving bile duct injuries or strictures, it is not the main objective of a cholecystectomy. Similarly, decreasing peptic secretion and relieving gastric pressure do not relate directly to the function or condition of the gallbladder. The gallbladder's primary role is to store bile, which aids in digestion, and by removing it, the body must adapt to alterations in bile flow, but this is a secondary effect rather than the primary goal.