Which surgical procedure would be indicated for a patient with chronic gastric ulcers?

B. Vagotomy is the correct answer because it is a surgical procedure specifically indicated for patients suffering from chronic gastric ulcers. Gastric ulcers are often associated with excessive acid production in the stomach, and vagotomy involves cutting the vagus nerve, which innervates the stomach and stimulates acid secretion. By performing a vagotomy, the procedure aims to reduce acid secretion, allowing the gastric ulcers to heal and preventing future ulcer formation.

The other surgical options listed are not appropriate for treating chronic gastric ulcers. Hernia repair addresses issues related to abdominal or groin hernias, appendectomy is the removal of the appendix due to appendicitis, and cholecystectomy involves the removal of the gallbladder, typically due to gallstones or cholecystitis. None of these procedures directly address gastric ulcers or their underlying causes, making them unsuitable in this context.