Which of the following surgical procedures is specifically intended to remove the gallbladder?

The surgical procedure specifically intended to remove the gallbladder is cholecystectomy. This operation involves the surgical removal of the gallbladder, which is a small organ that stores bile produced by the liver. Cholecystectomy can be performed using open surgery or, more commonly, laparoscopically, which is less invasive and allows for quicker recovery times.

Understanding the other options provides clarity on why they are not the correct answer. A hysterectomy refers to the surgical removal of the uterus, a mastectomy involves the removal of breast tissue, and a cardiotomy is a surgical incision into the heart. None of these procedures are related to the gallbladder, which distinctly categorizes cholecystectomy as the appropriate choice for the removal of this specific organ.