In the treatment of wound, a good understanding of the principles of wound healing is essential. A moist wound healing environment is needed. A range of new generation dressings has emerged in addition to traditional dressings such as gauze and tulle gras. These include low-adhesive dressings, transparent dressings, hydrocolloids, hydrogels, alginates, foams, hydrofibres, anti-microbial dressings, de-odouriser dressings and collagen dressings. The choice of dressing depends on a proper assessment of the wound (presence of ischaemia, infection, etc.) and matching the properties of the various dressings available to best meet the individual needs of that particular wound.