This year of training is an extension and broadening of the PGY-2 year. More emphasis is placed on actual management of patients in the hospital and participation in more complex surgical procedures, as well as pre- and post-operative care. As experience and judgment progresses, PGY-3 OTOHNS residents perform more advanced procedures, such as head and neck procedures (i.e., submandibular gland resections, glossectomies). They begin under very close supervision to perform more straightforward and limited endoscopic sinus procedures and facial trauma cases such as mandibular fractures and simpler midface fractures. In addition, they continue to assist in more major oncologic procedures and are generally given a portion of these procedures to perform themselves. In addition to beginning to perform otologic surgery, PGY-3 OTOHNS residents and beyond participate in a structured annual Temporal Bone Dissection course, where temporal bone anatomy and the range of otologic/neurotologic procedures are demonstrated and actively performed on cadaveric temporal bones. They then begin assisting in more involved otologic procedures and eventually perform simple tympanoplasties under supervision. During this year residents are expected to spend independent study time in the temporal bone lab honing their temporal bone skills.

During the PGY-3 Otolaryngology training year and above, the OTOHNS residents assume increased teaching responsibilities for more junior residents and also for medical students rotating on the OTOHNS service. PGY-3 OTOHNS residents have clinical rotations at KUMC (Blue Team), CMH and TMC-SLMC. At KUMC they continue to rotate in sub-specialty clinics under the supervision of the KUMC OTOHNS Blue Team faculty. The remainder of their time is divided between ICU and ward duties, inpatient and ER consultations and the operating theater. PGY-3 residents rotate for a second time at CMH. This opportunity is used to gain additional experience in the more senior level pediatric OTOHNS cases such as laryngotracheal airway surgery, complicated aerodigestive endoscopy and pediatric head and neck surgery. Rotating back through the TMC-SLMC rotation also affords the opportunity for increased autonomy and responsibility in the management of more senior head and neck and general otolaryngology cases.

During PGY-3, OTOHNS residents are given a dedicated four-month block of time for research. Projects are discussed and outlined prior to beginning this research time with the Resident Research Committee and the Director of Research, Dr. Dianne Durham, who closely supervises this experience. Research can be done in or out of the OTOHNS Department, but progress is monitored by the Resident Research Committee and results are presented at the annual Department of OTOHNS Alumni Day Research Conference each June. Nearly all PGY-3 residents then attend and present their research project at a national OTOHNS and/or scientific meeting. This time is also used to develop skills and techniques in the microvascular laboratory using the rat model.

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