Guadalajara hospital adds drug‑induced sleep endoscopy for sleep apnea

The Hospital Universitario de Guadalajara, part of the Servicio de Salud de Castilla‑La Mancha, has introduced drug‑induced sleep endoscopy (DISE). The procedure uses a flexible endoscope while the patient is under light sedation that mimics natural sleep, allowing doctors to see directly where the upper airway collapses.

DISE provides detailed information that helps personalize treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, especially for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP, are candidates for surgery, mandibular advancement devices, positional therapy, or hypoglossal nerve stimulation. Pulmonologist María Castillo said the technique improves care quality, enables selection of the most effective therapy, avoids unnecessary interventions, and can reduce referrals to other centres.