Postoperative wound dressing

A unitary medical dressing comprising:

• a generally elastic non-adherent bandage wrap including a wound-covering section from which extends a plurality of elongate strap sections, each strap section being configured to secure the bandage wrap to a wearer by wrapping about a predetermined portion of the wearer's body;
• a generally inelastic absorbent pad affixed to said wound-covering section for placement over a wound upon securing said bandage wrap to the wearer;
• a medicated, non-adherent gauze mesh affixed to said absorbent pad opposite said bandage wrap so as to cover the wound, said gauze mesh being configured to allow passage therethrough of fluids from the wound to said absorbent pad;
• and
• an adhesive tape secured to said gauze mesh substantially about a perimeter of said gauze mesh and overlying said gauze mesh to frame said gauze mesh, said adhesive tape being a sole source of adhesion to the wearer and including an adhesive surface which faces opposite said gauze mesh to adhere to the wearer's skin in an area surrounding, but not overlying the wound to fix said gauze mesh in place over the wound.

A unitary medical dressing configured for removable securement to a wearer to cover and protect a wound, said dressing comprising:

• a bandage wrap including a wound-covering section, and a plurality of elongate, generally elastic strap sections which extend in parallel fashion from said wound-covering section to wrap about predetermined portions of the wearer's body, each strap section being paired with another strap section and configured to wrap oppositely around the wearer's body an fasten to another strap via an adjustable fastener to provide for adjustment of compression on the wound;
• a generally inelastic absorbent pad affixed to said wound-coveting section for placement over the wound upon applying said bandage wrap to the wearer;
• a medicated, non-adherent gauze mesh affixed to said absorbent pad opposite said bandage wrap so as to cover the wound, said gauze mesh being configured to allow passage therethrough of fluids from the wound to said absorbent pad, but to inhibit passage of bacteria toward the wound;
• and
• a pair of facing, generally C-shaped adhesive tape strips secured to said gauze mesh substantially about a perimeter of said gauze mesh and overlying said absorbent pad, said adhesion tape strips being a sole source of adhesion to the wearer, said adhesive tape strips each including an adhesive surface which faces opposite said gauze mesh to adhere to the wearer's skin in an area surrounding, but not overlying, the wound, thus fixing said gauze mesh both laterally and translationally in place over the wound while allowing crenelation of the generally inelastic absorbent pad.