Abstract: A conformable wound dressing is produced which comprises a polymeric foam absorbent layer, a continuous or discontinuous adhesive layer covering the body facing surface of the absorbent layer except for a wound contacting area which is free of adhesive and a layer of a liquid impervious moisture vapor permeable material disposed over substantially all or the entire surface of the absorbent layer opposite the body facing surface. The wound dressing may have a discontinuous intermediate layer coextensive with the absorbent layer disposed between the absorbent layer and the adhesive layer. Preferably, more than 50% of the absorbent layer is free of adhesive or when the adhesive is placed on the intermediate layer, more than 50% of the absorbent layer and the intermediate layer are free of adhesive.