Films or fabrics: is it time to re-appraise postoperative dressings?

Post-operative wounds healing by primary intention are often seen as the simplest areas of modern wound care. However, have we overlooked the problems that can exist and are we really looking at postoperative dressing selection with the same vigour we attach to other areas of wound care? This article outlines the development of modern post operative dressings, both fabric and film-based and raises the question 'if postoperative wound infection is a problem should we consider more effective barrier dressings?'