Introduction: Results of a preliminary study demonstrated that placing normal human fibroblasts in vitro in contact with a contact layer formulated with a novel hydrocolloid technology showed a positive effect on fibroblast proliferation compared to contact with paraffin gauze or non-adherent dressings. A second study was conducted to confirm these results comparing this novel wound dressing* with other dressings of the same class in term of effects on adherence and cellular proliferation of normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) in vitro. Materials and methods: NHDF were cultivated in Dulbecco's Minimal Essential Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% foetal calf serum in 12-well plates Samples of 5 different wound dressings were applied directly to the cultures and allowed to remain for various periods of time. Cell proliferation was measured via [3H] thymidine incorporation. Replicate cultures were used to assess the dressing impact on the morphology of cells in culture by staining with (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) (MTT) and by micro-photography. Results: Of the 5 tested dressings (paraffin gauzes or/and non-adherent dressings), only a wound dressing with the novel hydrocolloid technology* resulted in a stimulating effect on the NHDF proliferation. Two other dressings had no effect and two had a cytostatic effect. In addition, the cell lesions induced by dressing removal were more severe with 4 other dressings than with a contact layer with the novel hydrocolloid technology* due to less adherence on cell surface and/or on extracellular matrix. Conclusion: Fibroblasts are the key cells of the wound healing process. Use of dressings that stimulate their proliferation may be beneficial in practice. However, clinical evaluations are required to confirm these in vitro results.