The term "surgical gown" describes any piece of clothing that is worn in a surgical setting. Although the term may apply to a variety of different products, the materials most often used are linen, polyester, cotton, silk, nylon, and rayon. Surgical dresses are either single-use or multiple-use items as decided by the manufacturer. In the former cases, the product is meant to be worn one time and then disposed of. In the latter case, the product can be used multiple times and then disposed of.

One of the newest materials used for surgical gown material is a new type of fabric called thermoplastic textiles. Textiles such as these are comprised primarily of polyester with other synthetic fabrics mixed in. These materials can be made into a wide array of colors and patterns as well as fabrics that are resistant to abrasion and flame. One reason for the increase in interest in these textiles is their usefulness in performing certain types of breast augmentations and enhancements.

Thermoplastic materials can be made into a variety of fabrics, including pantyhose, oversuits, scrub pants, disposable gowns, and gloves. Many of these garments are composed of a special blend of polypropylene fibers created from thermoplastics. Other materials commonly used include nylon, silk, and cotton. Newer varieties of these textiles are made using antimicrobial nonwoven fabrics which are said to increase the longevity of many of these items.

Some of these textiles come in a form of an outer garment (or down) that is worn during surgery while other pieces are worn over the patient's body to protect the skin underneath from irritants. The outer garment is typically made of a material like vinyl coated nylon or similar. It often has a zipper or other closures. The innermost surface of these textiles is typically treated with antimicrobial agents to inhibit bacterial growth. If this coating becomes cracked or worn away, the medical fabric will need to be replaced.

A wide range of Surgical Gowns are available in many different fabrics, styles, and colors. These textiles are most often available in white, although some specialty colors and styles are available. These specialized fabrics are made to meet the needs of many different patient populations, including those who have just undergone breast augmentation, are nursing, or have a skin condition such as acne or eczema. These specialty fabrics are designed to provide thermal comfort and to reduce irritation to patients. As most patients know, medical gowns that provide thermal comfort are much more comfortable than regular white cotton scrubs or pants.

There are also specialized medical surgical gown materials used for gynecological procedures. These garments help prevent transfer of body fluids and blood after a female gives birth. Because women bleed heavily after giving birth, they need to keep their garments out of their body as much as possible to minimize bleeding. Special woven fabrics called eider down were developed for this purpose. While these special fabrics are better able to absorb body fluids than ordinary materials, they do have certain limitations. For instance, if there is a lot of bleeding after giving birth, it is important for the eider down garment to be able to withstand large amounts of blood flow.