Gelfilm" and "Gelfoam" are made from absorbable gelatin and, in the form of a thin film or a sponge, are used to control bleeding in various surgical procedures. They may be encountered in sections usually adhering to a surface as seen here where Gelfoam is associated with the capsule of the spleen. The gelatin foam has a characteristic appearance with slightly basophilic gelatin walls of varying thickness surrounding distorted spaces which may contain blood cells or other cell types. Typically there is no tissue reaction to the presence of this material. Because this material consists of gelatin it infiltrates well with paraffin and generally does not pose a problem when sections are being prepared. So the answer is gelfoam or surgical sponge contamination.

© Roy C. Ellis 2004