Abstract: A wound dressing comprising an antimicrobial absorbent layer containing silver, and an apertured sheet covering the antimicrobial absorbent layer, wherein the apertured sheet is formed from a liquid-impermeable sheet material having an array of apertures therein, said apertures having a mean effective diameter of from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm, and wherein the percentage open area of the apertured sheet is from about 7% to about 25%. The selection of apertures in this range provides enhanced antimicrobial efficacy.

Abstract: The invention provides wound dressings comprising an absorbent (porous) hydrogel composition comprising a foam portion which comprises a flexible plasticised hydrophilic polymer matrix having an internal cellular structure, and a continuous portion which comprises a flexible plasticised hydrophilic polymer matrix having relatively continuous internal structure. The continuous portion of the hydrogel composition includes apertures providing fluid flow communication through the continuous portion between an external surface of the continuous portion and the foam portion whereby the foam portion can take up external water or other fluid into the cellular structure through the apertures of the continuous portion. The continuous portion of the hydrogel composition may be tacky to the skin, allowing its use as a bioadhesive.