Abstract: The invention provides wound dressings, in particular wound dressings of low- or non-exuding wounds a bleeding wounds. The wound dressings are of the island type, having as adhesive-coated backing sheet (6) and an absorbent island (9) supported on the backing sheet. The island (9) comprises a layer (2) of liquid absorbent material enclosed in an envelope of textured perforated thermoplastic film. The film (3) at one side of the island (9) presents a ribbed or embossed perforated surface having low adherency to the wound. The film island an the rear surface of the envelope is perforated and smoothed to provide good attachment to the backing sheet (6) and controlled water vapor transmission rate. The invention also provides a method of manufacture of the wound dressings according to the invention, according to which the absorbent layer (2) is wrapped in a textured perforated thermoplastic film, and the film on the rear face of the envelope is then preferably smoothed by blowing hot air onto it.