Conferences
General Surgery Morbidity and Mortality Conference
Every Tuesday, 7:00 – 8:00 a.m.
This is an hour-long discussion of the management of four patients who underwent treatment on one of our surgical services. This conference provides an opportunity to discuss common (and uncommon) complications of a patient’s therapy as well as the clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, diagnostic algorithm, and therapeutic strategies important in the identification and management of surgical diseases. The cases are selected by the senior residents and the chairman based upon their educational value and are presented by the resident involved in the care of the patient.
Grand Rounds
Every Tuesday, 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Grand Rounds will vary based on speaker availability, but board and life-relevant topics are discussed such as the essentials of trauma resuscitation, when to operate on adrenal lesions, and multiple presentations on available research at UAMS.
Didactics Conference
Every Tuesday, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
This weekly didactic conference is our “vascular protected time.” During the first hour, we hold case presentations made by the residents on the vascular services at each of the hospitals, discussing the pathophysiology, appropriate diagnostic workup, and best management of the various disease processes presented. During the second hour, we have a variety of presentations made by the vascular faculty and residents. Some of these include “How I do it” presentations, vascular lab lectures, guest speakers on relevant topics, and chapter reviews from Rutherford’s or Current Therapy. Once a month, this hour is also dedicated to our vascular M&M.
VSITE Board Prep
VESAP
VESAP is the most widely used study aid for vascular surgeons and residents preparing for certification, recertification, and qualifying exams along with an invaluable resource for remaining current in the specialty of vascular and endovascular surgery. This question bank is designed with over 650 questions and includes comprehensive discussions and references for each question to best aid studying.
Board Review
Once a month, residents complete a 20-question online quiz on the subject of the month, assigned by the chief resident. The residents and faculty then come together over dinner to discuss each of the the questions, the rationale behind the correct answer, and their application to current practice.
Textbooks
Books such as Rutherford’s Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Stanley’s Current Therapy in Vascular and Endovascular Surgery and many other books can be purchased via our annual $250 educational fund for residents.
Mock Oral Exams
Twice a year, PGY-2 through PGY-5 residents will participate in a mock oral examination at our state-of-the-art clinical skills center. Proctored by the vascular faculty, these practice exams are carried in a way to replicate every aspect of the actual exam for optimal preparedness.
Vascular Lab Training
Experience in the vascular diagnostic laboratory is an essential component of an overall training program in vascular surgery. During the course of training, you will expand your knowledge regarding vascular diagnostic tests, the wide range of diagnostic principles and limitations of each technique. Once sufficient experience has been gaining, the trainee will sign off on various studies performed at the VA under the supervision of the director of the vascular lab at both hospitals. Your experience will allow you to do the following:
- Accurately order appropriate diagnostic tests for the entire spectrum of vascular disorders
- Understand the role of carotid duplex in evaluation of asymptomatic and symptomatic carotid artery disease
- Interpret the result obtained by carotid duplex, including ultrasound image and Doppler velocities
- Discuss the limitations of carotid duplex
- Understand the use of duplex in evaluation of visceral vessels
- Understand the noninvasive test to investigate the extremity arteries