Using film dressings

Film dressings were one of the first modern wound-dressing products. They are extremely flexible, transparent and adhesive. They have no capacity to absorb fluid but are able to 'breathe off' small amounts of fluid by a process known as moisture vapour transpiration (MVT). The rate of MVT varies between brands but is, at best, minimal. This means that such dressings are not suitable for wounds that produce anything more than a minimal amount of exudate. Film dressings should not be used interchangeably with film products designed for intravenous cannula retention. Intravenous cannula dressings are designed to keep the cannula site dry and have a much higher MVT rate, whereas film dressings are designed to keep the wound moist.