Does the Alexis retractor increase the risk of blood splashes to surgeons' face.

This is a randomised controlled single centre trial where surgeons will be asked to wear a clear plastic visor, in addition to protective clothing normally used during surgery. Surgeons performing open abdominal surgery at University Hospital Geelong will be asked to participate. Participation in this research will not affect the choice of procedure or care provided to patients. No samples will be collected at any time during this study. Surgeons will be randomly allocated either to use Alexis retractor or not to use it during their operations. Blood spatter caught on the surgeon’s visor will be quantified after surgical procedures involving the abdomen. Clear plastic visors will be examined on a black background. Macroscopic blood spatter will be graded by size and count, and whether the blood is dripping or not. Microscopic blood spatter will be counted. Counted blood droplets will be marked with a black marker to prevent double-counting. Results will then be compared for surgeries in which the Alexis Wound Retractor was used compared to those during which this instrument was not used. Surgeons participating in the study will be allowed to insert and remove the Alexis retractor in their usual method with no restriction to the style of insertion or time taken to remove it.