During gallbladder surgery, what is the procedure called where the surgeon drains the gallbladder before removing stones?

The procedure where the surgeon drains the gallbladder before removing stones is called cholecystostomy. This is a temporary or permanent surgical procedure that involves creating an opening into the gallbladder to allow for drainage of its contents, which can be particularly useful in cases where there are complications such as cholecystitis or when the patient is not a candidate for an immediate cholecystectomy.

Cholecystectomy refers to the surgical removal of the gallbladder itself and is the standard procedure for treating gallstones and related gallbladder diseases, but it does not specifically involve draining the gallbladder prior to stone removal.

Choledochotomy is the surgical incision into the common bile duct, typically performed to remove stones lodged in that duct, rather than to drain the gallbladder directly.

Gallbladder resection is a term that could also refer generally to the removal of the gallbladder but is not the specific procedure for draining it prior to stone removal. In summary, cholecystostomy directly addresses the need to alleviate pressure and remove gallstones effectively during surgery, making it the correct answer for this scenario.