EXUDATE CAN BE DEFINED AS FLUID LEAKING FROM A WOUND. IT PLAYS A CENTRAL ROLE IN HEALING. EXUDATE IS MAINLY WATER, BUT ALSO CONTAINS ELECTROLYTES, NUTRIENTS, PROTEINS, INFLAMMATORY MEDIATORS, PROTEIN DIGESTING ENZYMES (EG MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASES (MMPS)), GROWTH FACTORS AND WASTE PRODUCTS, AS WELL AS VARIOUS TYPES OF CELLS (EG NEUTROPHILS, MACROPHAGES AND PLATELETS).