Estimated Enrollment:	16
Study Start Date:	September 2008
Estimated Study Completion Date:	September 2009
Estimated Primary Completion Date:	June 2009 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)

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Inclusion criteria for subjects

• Classified as year 3-5 post graduation registrars, specialist registrars or residents in surgery.
• Completed their Basic Surgical Training programme.
• Completed at least 12 months period on a Higher Surgical Training programme.
• In an accredited surgical post at time of participation
• In a colorectal surgery rotation at time of participation
• Signed their own consent form

Exclusion criteria for subjects

• Performed, as primary surgeon, > 10 advanced laparoscopic procedures (laparoscopic cholecystectomy, inguinal hernia, appendectomy, Nissen fundoplication, or ventral incisional hernia repair are not considered advanced laparoscopic procedures )
• Performed, as primary surgeon, laparoscopic assisted colectomy procedures
• Performed, as primary surgeon, any hand-assisted laparoscopic colectomy procedures
• Did not sign their own consent form

Inclusion criteria for patients

• Indicated for a laparoscopic assisted sigmoid colectomy or high anterior resection
• At least 18 years old upon date of signing the informed consent document (ICD)
• Sign their own ICD

Exclusion criteria for patients

• History or current diagnosis of synchronous colon cancer
• Indicated for urgent surgery
• Indicated for diverting stoma
• American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) Classification of Physical Status IV-V
• Tumour classified as T4
• An obstructed colon
• Planned early conversion based on findings at operative visualisation.
• Pregnancy
• < 18 years of age
• Mental disability
• Did not sign their own ICD

Health Service Executive

Virtual Reality Simulator Proficiency Laparoscopic

Colectomy Education Surgical Training

Disease Progression