How does a surgeon remove a tick? - briefly
A surgeon uses sterile fine‑tipped forceps to grasp the parasite as close to the skin as possible and removes it with steady, upward traction, avoiding crushing the body. The site is then irrigated with antiseptic solution and inspected for any retained mouthparts.
How does a surgeon remove a tick? - in detail
When a tick becomes deeply embedded in tissue, simple traction may cause the mouthparts to break off, increasing the risk of infection. A surgeon therefore employs a controlled operative approach to extract the organism intact.
Pre‑operative assessment includes confirming the tick’s location with imaging, evaluating patient allergies, and planning antibiotic prophylaxis. Local or regional anesthesia is administered to achieve a painless field.
The operative technique proceeds as follows:
- Make a small, transverse incision directly over the tick’s body using a scalpel with a #15 blade.
- Employ fine, blunt‑tip forceps to grasp the tick’s anterior capitulum, avoiding pressure on the abdomen.
- Apply steady, upward traction aligned with the tick’s orientation, ensuring the mouthparts withdraw as a single unit.
- If resistance occurs, use a microsurgical needle to gently dissect surrounding tissue and free the attachment.
- After removal, inspect the specimen to confirm completeness; any retained fragments are excised.
- Irrigate the wound with sterile saline, achieve hemostasis, and close the incision with absorbable sutures.
Post‑operative care involves monitoring for signs of local infection, prescribing a short course of doxycycline when indicated, and advising the patient on wound hygiene. Follow‑up at 48 hours assesses healing and confirms the absence of residual tick parts.