Before-surgery guide
Getting Ready for Sleep Endoscopy (DISE)
Quick answer: Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) shows exactly where your airway narrows or closes during sleep. Medicine puts you into a sleep-like state, and a thin flexible scope passed through the nose looks at the airway. It is done in our office. Follow the eating and drinking instructions exactly, and arrange an adult to drive you home.
How is the procedure done?
- DISE is a test that looks at your upper airway while you are in a sleep-like state.
- Sedating medicine is given to bring on a sleep-like state, and a thin flexible scope is passed through the nose to see the airway.
- It shows the specific places where the airway narrows or closes, which helps choose the right treatment for sleep apnea, such as Inspire.
- It is done in our office.
Our Inspire page explains how DISE fits into an Inspire evaluation.
What are the risks?
Every procedure has risks. We will go over them with you, and you can ask about any of them.
- Anesthesia is safe, but it has some risks. The anesthesia team can go over them with you. Tell us if anyone in your family has had a problem with anesthesia.
- Mild soreness in the throat and nose.
- Temporary nasal congestion or irritation.
- Bleeding from the nose.
- Breathing trouble during the procedure.
- Aspiration (breathing food or liquid into the lungs) if the stomach is not completely empty. This is why the eating and drinking instructions matter.
How do I get ready?
-
Before the procedure
- Give us a list of every medicine, vitamin and supplement you take.
- If you take aspirin or a blood thinner, tell us. Do not stop it on your own.
- Arrange for an adult to drive you home.
-
Eating and drinking
- Follow the eating and drinking instructions we give you exactly. An empty stomach keeps sedation safe.
-
The day of the procedure
- Take only the medicines we said to take that morning, with a small sip of water.
- Bring your photo ID, insurance card and list of medicines.
What happens after the procedure?
- You are watched in a recovery area until the sedating medicine wears off.
- Mild throat discomfort or nasal congestion is normal and should improve within a few hours.
- For 24 hours after sedation, do not drive, drink alcohol, use machinery or sign important papers.
- A follow-up visit is scheduled to go over the findings and plan your treatment.
When should I call before surgery?
Call us for
- You get sick in the days before the procedure
- You start a new medicine, or a doctor changes your blood thinner
- You have questions about the procedure or its risks, or you need to reschedule
Austin 512-339-4040 · Lakeway 512-682-4798 · Marble Falls 830-992-2830
Questions patients ask
The specific places where your airway narrows or closes during sleep, which helps choose the right treatment, such as Inspire.
Sedating medicine puts you into a sleep-like state so we can see how your airway behaves during sleep.
No. Arrange for an adult to drive you home, and do not drive for 24 hours after sedation.
This guide is for educational purposes only and does not replace an in-person evaluation. If your surgeon gave you different instructions, follow theirs.
Sources
- De Vito A, Carrasco Llatas M, Ravesloot MJ, et al. European position paper on drug-induced sleep endoscopy: 2017 Update. Clinical Otolaryngology. 2018;43(6):1541-1552. PubMed