Drug Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE)
Precise, consultant-led airway assessment under light sedation — the gold standard diagnostic tool for snoring and sleep apnoea.
Drug Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) is a specialist diagnostic procedure that allows our consultant surgeons to directly evaluate your airway while you are in a sleep-like state. Using carefully controlled light sedation, the procedure simulates natural sleep conditions so that any airway obstruction — and its precise location and pattern — can be visualised and recorded.
Unlike a home sleep study, which records breathing patterns externally, DISE allows the surgeon to see exactly where the airway is collapsing, at what level, and in what way. This makes it an essential tool for planning effective, targeted treatment — particularly in patients considering surgery or who have not responded well to CPAP.
Who is DISE suitable for?
Patients with confirmed or suspected obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
Patients who have not tolerated, or have not responded adequately to, CPAP therapy
Patients considering surgical treatment for snoring or OSA
Patients where home sleep study findings are inconclusive
Patients for whom a personalised, anatomy-guided treatment plan is required
What does DISE involve?
DISE is performed in a medically supervised clinical setting with an anaesthesiologist present. A gentle sedative agent is administered intravenously to induce a temporary sleep-like state, typically lasting 20–30 minutes. During this period, the consultant passes a thin flexible endoscope through the nose to evaluate the upper airway in real time, assessing the nose, soft palate, tongue base, and larynx.
The procedure is safe, well-tolerated, and does not require general anaesthesia. Most patients are able to resume normal activities the same day. Your consultant will discuss the findings with you following the procedure, and use them to guide your treatment plan.
Why choose Hillser Clinic?
Consultant-led expertise – DISE is performed by senior ENT surgeons with specific expertise in sleep-disordered breathing and airway evaluation.
Advanced techniques – performed using high-definition flexible endoscopy in a controlled clinical environment with anaesthetic support.
Integrated care – DISE findings directly inform a personalised, multi-modal treatment plan, avoiding unnecessary or poorly-targeted procedures.
Safety and clinical excellence – procedures carried out at leading hospitals in London and the South East, ensuring safe and convenient care for patients from a wide area.
FAQs
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Yes. DISE is a well-established and widely used diagnostic procedure. It is performed with an anaesthesiologist present in a fully monitored clinical setting. The sedation used is light and short-acting, and the endoscope does not involve any incisions or tissue disruption.
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You will be in a sedated, sleep-like state rather than under general anaesthesia. The level of sedation is carefully controlled to replicate natural sleep conditions as closely as possible, while allowing safe monitoring throughout.
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The procedure itself typically takes 20–30 minutes. You will be monitored for a short period afterwards and should be able to go home the same day. You will need someone to accompany you, and should not drive after the procedure.
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Yes. Your consultant will review the findings with you immediately after the procedure while you recover. You will leave with a clear understanding of what was observed and, in most cases, a recommended treatment plan or next steps.
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DISE and home sleep studies serve different purposes. A sleep study measures the severity of your breathing disorder during natural sleep; DISE provides direct visual information about the anatomical site and pattern of airway collapse. Many patients benefit from having both, and your consultant will advise the most appropriate sequence based on your clinical picture.
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We typically offer consultations within a few days of enquiry. Please contact us via the website or by email to check current availability.
If you are exploring treatment for snoring or sleep apnoea and want a precise, anatomy-guided diagnosis, DISE may be recommended as part of your assessment.
Book your consultation today with Hillser Clinic and take the first step towards better sleep.