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Advanced Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) for children with persistent sleep apnea in Bangalore. Shishuka Children's Hospital, one of the few centres offering this procedure.
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An advanced diagnostic procedure that identifies exactly where and why your child's airway is obstructed during sleep — offering precise, targeted answers when standard treatment hasn't fully resolved sleep-disordered breathing.
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) is a specialised procedure performed under light sedation that allows specialists to directly visualise a child's airway while they are in a sleep-like state. A thin, flexible scope is passed through the nose to observe exactly how and where the airway collapses or narrows, whether at the level of the tonsils, adenoids, tongue base, or elsewhere.
Unlike a standard sleep study, which confirms that a breathing problem exists, DISE shows precisely where and why it's happening. This level of detail helps plan targeted, effective treatment and avoid unnecessary procedures. Shishuka Children's Hospital is one of the few centres in Bangalore equipped to perform this advanced procedure.
A pediatric sleep specialist may recommend DISE if your child has:
Persistent sleep apnea despite prior treatment
Incomplete improvement after tonsil or adenoid surgery, when snoring or apnea continues
Complex airway anatomy, where more than one factor may be contributing to obstruction
A need for precise treatment planning before considering further surgical options
Underlying conditions, such as certain neuromuscular or craniofacial conditions, that affect airway structure
A confirmed sleep apnea diagnosis where the exact obstruction site remains unclear
The scope examination systematically evaluates each potential site of obstruction.
Examines whether residual adenoid tissue or nasal structure is contributing to airway blockage.
Checks whether remaining tonsil tissue, if present, is playing a role in the obstruction.
Assesses whether the tongue base falls back or the soft palate collapses during sleep, common but easily missed contributors to obstruction.
Identifies the specific pattern and level of airway narrowing, which directly informs whether further surgery, a different intervention, or non-surgical management is the best path forward.
These two tests answer different questions and are often used together, not instead of one another.
| Investigation | What It Shows | Best For | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pediatric DISE | The exact site & pattern of airway obstruction | Precise surgical or treatment planning | Requires light sedation; a diagnostic, not treatment, step |
| Sleep Study (Polysomnography) | Whether & how severe sleep apnea is | Initial diagnosis and severity grading | Doesn't show exactly where obstruction occurs |
| Standard Awake Airway Exam | General airway appearance while awake | Quick initial screening in clinic | Airway behaves differently awake vs. asleep |
A safe, closely coordinated procedure involving several specialists working together.
The multidisciplinary team, including pediatric pulmonology, ENT, anaesthesia, and sleep specialists, reviews your child's sleep study results and history to plan the procedure.
Your child fasts for a set period beforehand, similar to any procedure requiring sedation.
Light sedation brings your child into a sleep-like state, and a thin, flexible scope is passed through the nose to observe the airway in real time. The procedure typically takes 15–30 minutes.
Your child is monitored until fully awake, usually going home the same day. Findings are reviewed with the full multidisciplinary team and discussed with you to plan the most targeted next steps.
An advanced procedure that requires genuine multidisciplinary coordination for safety and accuracy.
Advanced diagnostic capability not widely available at other centres in the city.
Pulmonology, ENT, anaesthesia, and sleep specialists working together to ensure safety and optimal outcomes.
Findings used to plan targeted treatment and avoid unnecessary procedures.
A controlled, closely monitored procedure prioritising your child's safety throughout.
Consultations available at Kalyan Nagar, RT Nagar, Malleswaram and New BEL Road.
Your child is monitored until the sedation fully wears off, which typically takes a few hours, before being discharged the same day. Mild grogginess and a slightly sore throat afterward are common and settle quickly.
The real value of DISE lies in what happens next — the detailed findings allow your care team to recommend the most precise, effective treatment, whether that's further surgery, a non-surgical approach, or reassurance that no additional intervention is needed.
DISE can provide the precise answers needed to move treatment forward. Book a consultation with our sleep care team.
We've compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions to help you find the information you need quickly and easily.
“If you can't find the answer to your question here, please don't hesitate to contact our support team for assistance.”
Yes, a safe, controlled procedure under light sedation with a multidisciplinary team monitoring throughout.
A sleep study confirms whether apnea exists and its severity; DISE directly visualizes the airway to identify exactly where obstruction occurs.
Not always — DISE guides precise treatment and helps avoid unnecessary procedures.
For persistent sleep apnea despite treatment, incomplete improvement after tonsil/adenoid surgery, or complex airway anatomy.