A method of the invention is provided for making a wound dressing
including an absorbent core having proximal and distal surfaces, and a
liquid impervious, vapor permeable backing layer extending over the
distal surface of the absorbent core. The backing layer has a portion
defining a compliant element disassociated and outwardly extending from
the distal surface of the absorbent core. The method includes the steps
of securing a border portion of the backing layer to a border portion of
the absorbent core located near the periphery thereof, connecting a
central portion of the backing layer to a central portion of the
absorbent core, and forming the compliant element by drawing a portion of
the backing layer away from the absorbent core.