Excision of ear tags
1. Principles
Small skin tags and bobbles commonly occur in the immediate preauricular area in the presence of microtia and even sometimes when completely normal looking ear is present. For reasons not well understood, preauricular skin tags are often bilateral. Parents and children often request their removal and this can be done generally by simple surgical excision and primary closure.
2. General wound care
Apply ice packs (may be effective in a short term to minimize edema).
The sterile dressing placed over the incisions is maintained for a minimum of 48 hours. Thereafter routine wound care should be instituted.
Antibiotic prophylaxis is continued for 1-5 days depending on the nature, complexity, and duration of the surgical procedure.
Remove sutures from skin after approximately 5 days if nonresorbable sutures have been used.
Regular follow up examinations to monitor healing are required.
Avoid sun exposure and tanning to skin incisions for several months.
