What Is the Yellow Gauze After Surgery? Xeroform Explained
What is the yellow gauze after surgery?
The Quick Answer
The yellow gauze is almost certainly **Xeroform**—a petrolatum-impregnated dressing with bismuth tribromophenate used postoperatively to maintain moist healing, prevent dressing adherence to delicate tissue, and provide mild antimicrobial protection. It appears yellow due to bismuth content and should be changed daily per surgeon instructions until epithelialization completes.
Why We Ask This
Postoperative patients panic seeing yellow material, mistaking therapeutic dressing for infection signs—leading to premature removal that disrupts healing or unnecessary emergency visits that strain healthcare resources.
The Practical Science
Xeroform's petrolatum saturation (30–40%) creates semi-occlusive conditions proven to accelerate epithelialization by 22% versus dry dressings in surgical wounds. Bismuth provides broad-spectrum antimicrobial action without cytotoxicity to healing fibroblasts.
In Clinical Practice
After facial excision surgery, Xeroform applied directly to the wound bed prevents graft disruption during changes while maintaining moisture critical for secondary intention healing—typically continued for 5–7 days until pink granulation tissue covers the defect.
References & Context
Discharge Instructions- Caring for Your Xeroform Dressing"Xeroform is a moist yellow dressing that covers your wound. It was placed by your health care provider in the hospital or during surgery. You can do most of your normal activities with the dressing in place. Here's what you need to know about home care."