i seem to recall a book called the Vascular Surgery Combat Manual that covered basically everything a student (or intern) needed to know about diagnosing vascular disease and a basic grounding on treatment. See if you can find that.
As to performing well:
Knowledge--
Get a good grounding on vascular disease then Read up on current literature:
I'd know the recent NEJM article on preop coronary revasc. for patients undergoing vascular operations. (Not a great study, but you should check it out)
Know stuff about the risks/benefits of carotid surgery in the modern era (but also know the original NASCET and ACAS numbers) This is even more important if stenting is done at this institution.
Know about the unique risks of endovascular AAA repair v. open and what are the criteria that a AAA has to meet to be an endovascular candidate
Review ABIs and the general cutoffs for pressures to heal an amputation, etc.
Get to know the patency rates of Goretex v. Saphenous vein grafts for peripheral bypasses above and below the knee
Work Ethic:
Be on top of your patients
Invest in a good set of trauma shears as you will be removing and putting up dressings a lot.
Show up on time
Know your patients cold.
Go to the OR whenever you can do it, even when you are post-call. It's an audition rotation, you can get your sleep next month!
Don't neglect clinic. It can be a good one on one time with attendings and often one of the only times you can present a patient directly to an attending which, if you do it well, can really make an impression.
