Valve plaster for the emergency treatment of open thorax injuries

A plaster for the emergency treatment of open thorax injuries permitting external closure of the wound gap and improving the respiration of the injured person until clinical treatment, comprising a wound dressing (4), a substantially airtight carrier layer (5) provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating on the side which will face the skin, the carrier layer (5) projecting beyond the lateral edges of the wound dressing and being provided with an aperture, a gas check valve (2) responding to slight pressure variations projecting through the aperture, the gas check valve opening when positive pressure builds up during the expiration phase and permitting air to escape from the chest cavity, and closing when negative pressure arises during the inspiration phase, the plaster being relatively flat and of low profile.