Do I clean off the old ointment before applying new ointment around cotton ball and over the stitches?

BCC removed from inside right ear (Mohs) last Tues, dressing removed Thurs, stitches to be removed Tues. Skin graft over the site with a cotton ball (now saturated with blood) covered with antibiotic ointment stitched to hold it in place. Have cleaned dried blood from area. Are adding ointment to keep area covered. Thank you.