This study compared a polyurethane foam dressing with a hydrocolloid dressing for ease of application and removal, adhesion, conformability, absorbency and wear time. A randomised study was carried out, including 61 patients with stage two or three pressure sores in five centres in the UK. Dressings were applied for up to 30 days and assessments were carried out at each dressing change. The results indicated that both dressings are easy and convenient to apply; absorbency and ease of removal were significantly better with the polyurethane foam dressing than the hydrocolloid dressing; wear times were similar.