National Open Abdomen Audit (NOAA) - protocol for an observational audit of the use and management of the open abdomen in secondary care across Great Britain and Ireland.

Results will be used to formulate a practical clinical guideline on when to implement an OA along with a stepwise management plan once initiated to reduce the associated morbidity and mortality. It is hoped that participation in this study will facilitate education of surgeons with a "trickle down" effect on all members of the surgical team and remove variability in the management.