This report is part of a larger study to determine the extent to which the appropriate use of medical procedures is related to overall rates of use among geographic areas. It is one of six volumes that report the ratings of panels of physicians on the appropriateness of performing each of six procedures for a wide variety of clinically specific indications. The six procedures were coronary angiography, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, cholecystectomy, diagnostic gastrointestinal endoscopy, colonoscopy, and carotid endarterectomy. This volume contains a literature review of cholecystectomy, a comprehensive set of indications for performing this procedure, and ratings of the appropriateness for each indication.