Comparing the use of a "wound protector" with traditional retraction techniques, in terms of the incidence of surgical site infection in adults undergoing elective open colorectal resection surgery.

Method of retraction of sides of surgical incision to expose operation field in open elective colorectal resection, "wound protector". This intervention is used once on each participant in this arm of the study. The intervention involves the use of a "wound protector" for the retraction of the sides of the incision to expose the operation field. The intervention is a temporary measure, it is used only for the duration of the surgical procedure, it is removed immediately before closure of the surgical incision. The follow up period for the detection of surgical site infection (the primary outcome measure) is 30 days post surgery. The use of a "wound protector" differs from the comparator technique "traditional retraction techniques" in terms of the technique used to retract the sides of the surgical incision to expose the operation field. The use of a "wound protector" involves the insertion of one end of a plastic cylindrical device into the surgical incision, the device is then wound taut to retract the sides of the incision and expose the operation field. The "wound protector" is removed at the end of the operation, immediately prior to closure of the surgical incision. "Traditional retraction techniques" involves the use of traditional metal surgical retractors to retract the sides of the surgical incision and expose the operation field. These retractors are removed immediately prior the closure of the surgical incision.