Sterile improved bandage and sealant

A flexible, liquid-absorbent, adhesive bandage to be applied to a patient comprising:

• a flexible backing element selected from the group comprised of cotton, paper, synthetic fabric or plastic,
• a substrate attached to said backing element comprising a homogeneous, hydrophilic, stable matrix having adhesive properties for adhesion to the skin and being sufficiently pliant to conform to the shape of the body contours, said matrix including a solid phase comprising about 30% to 50% of the total weight of the matrix and including a synthetic resin selected from the group comprising polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide and their cogeners, and a liquid phase consisting of a solution or emulsion of carbohydrate and/or protein and comprising from about 40% to 70% by weight of the matrix, said matrix having been sterilized by irradiation, whereby the matrix is capable of effectively absorbing liquid exudate from a wound to which it is applied and being capable of remaining dimensionally stable and tacky during such absorption.