Dr. Shailesh Khode
Consultant ENT & Upper Airway Sleep Surgeon
Specializing in the comprehensive diagnosis and advanced surgical management of obstructive sleep apnea, complex snoring conditions, and upper airway obstructions. Dr. Khode delivers focused, evidence-based care to improve nighttime breathing and daytime vitality.
Consultant ENT Surgeon
Licensed in Abu Dhabi
Sleep Medicine Focus
Comprehensive Diagnostic Care
Airway Surgery
Advanced Surgical Techniques

Clinical Expertise
Sleep Apnea & Airway Surgery
Areas of Specialization
Targeted surgical and medical treatment pathways for sleep-disordered breathing and airway obstruction.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Comprehensive airway assessment and customized surgical interventions.
Snoring & Sleep Surgery
Targeted minimally invasive solutions to restore natural nighttime breathing.
Upper Airway Optimization
Advanced nasal, palatal, and tongue base precision procedures.
Sleep Apnea & Surgical Candidacy
Understand key indicators of obstructive airway collapse, clinical diagnosis steps, and the precise criteria when surgical ENT interventions may provide targeted relief.
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Persistent fatigue or nodding off during routine daytime tasks.
Morning Headaches & Dry Mouth
Waking up consistently with dry oral mucosa or frontal tension.
Difficulty Concentrating
Brain fog, memory lapses, and reduced daily alertness.
Mood Fluctuations
Increased irritability, low mood, or anxiety related to chronic sleep deprivation.
Loud, Chronic Snoring
Persistent vibration of airway tissues observed frequently by a bed partner.
Witnessed Breathing Pauses
Noticeable cessation of airflow followed by gasping, choking, or snorting.
Restless, Fragmented Sleep
Frequent awakenings to reposition or frequent nighttime urination.
Sudden Nighttime Awakenings
Jerking awake with a rapid heart rate or shortness of breath.
Frequently Asked Questions
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE)
Led by Dr. Shailesh Khode, Consultant ENT & Sleep Apnea Surgeon at Tarabichi Mondy Cochlear Implant Center, Abu Dhabi. DISE provides a real-time, dynamic 3D assessment of upper airway collapse during natural-like sleep.

Direct fiber-optic view of palate, tonsils, tongue base, and epiglottis in active snoring.
Eliminates guesswork, ensuring only necessary surgical or appliance interventions are performed.
- Patients with confirmed Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) seeking targeted surgical solutions
- Individuals experiencing CPAP intolerance or incomplete CPAP compliance
- Persistent snoring and sleep-disordered breathing after previous airway procedures
- Patients being evaluated for custom oral appliances or hypoglossal nerve therapy
Comprehensive clinical sleep review and candidacy assessment available at our Abu Dhabi center.
The VOTE Classification Airway Survey
Dr. Khode methodically maps four primary zones of the upper airway to identify single or multi-level obstructions.
Velum & Palate
VOTE Diagnostic TargetAssesses collapse of the soft palate and uvula, distinguishing between anteroposterior and circular concentric narrowing.
Determines eligibility for palatal surgery or targeted therapies.
The DISE Procedure Journey
Structured step-by-step diagnostic workflow performed in a controlled outpatient hospital environment.
Conducted in a quiet surgical suite under monitored conscious sedation to mimic natural non-REM sleep.
A thin, high-definition flexible endoscope is guided through the nasal cavity without disturbing your breathing.
Dr. Khode maps specific airway collapse patterns using the international VOTE classification system.
Findings are translated into targeted treatment strategies, avoiding non-targeted, multi-level procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Evidence-Based Sleep Surgery Planning
Suitability for surgical or appliance management is determined individually following clinical assessment in Abu Dhabi.
Understanding Upper Airway Obstruction
A comprehensive clinical overview of anatomical airway narrowing, its nocturnal impact on oxygen saturation, and diagnostic pathways for restorative sleep.
During waking hours, pharyngeal muscle tone keeps the upper airway patent. As natural sleep initiates, normal neuromuscular relaxation allows surrounding soft tissues—the soft palate, uvula, tonsils, and tongue base—to approximate.
In individuals with predisposing anatomical narrowing or tissue laxity, the negative pressure generated during inhalation causes airway collapse, resulting in repetitive oxygen drops and sympathetic micro-arousals.

Nasal Septum & Turbinate Hypertrophy
Deviated nasal septum or enlarged turbinate tissue that restricts normal nasal airflow during rest and exertion.
Enlarged Tonsils & Adenoids
Hypertrophic lymphoid tissues in the pharynx narrowing the retropalatal space, particularly prominent when lying flat.
Soft Palate & Elongated Uvula
Excess tissue vibration and collapse at the back of the throat leading to heavy snoring and mechanical airway resistance.
Tongue Base Retrusion & Epiglottic Collapse
Posterior displacement of the tongue base during muscular relaxation, obstructing the hypopharyngeal airway passage.
Standard Diagnostic & Care Protocol
A structured, evidence-based diagnostic process ensures clear identification of anatomical levels of obstruction before developing a personalized treatment plan.
Comprehensive Clinical ENT Endoscopy
Direct fiberoptic visual assessment of the nasal passages, nasopharynx, base of tongue, and laryngeal structures.
Diagnostic Sleep Study (Polysomnography)
Quantifying apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), nocturnal oxygen desaturations, and sleep stage architecture.
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE)
Dynamic evaluation under light sedation to pinpoint exact collapse sites before tailoring surgical or non-surgical care.
Targeted Multi-Disciplinary Management
Personalized medical interventions, positive airway therapies, positional support, or specialized airway surgery.
Sleep Apnea Patient Journey
From overnight diagnostics to airway stabilization and long-term vitality, explore our coordinated surgical and clinical treatment pathway.
Diagnostic Sleep Study
Multidisciplinary Diagnosis
Tailored Surgical Planning
Surgical Procedure
Post-Op Care & Follow-Up
Diagnostic Sleep Study
Comprehensive overnight polysomnography or advanced home sleep testing to measure respiratory disturbances.
Key Clinical Interventions
- Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) recording
- Nocturnal oxygen saturation tracking
- Airway airflow & acoustic pattern assessment
"Gold-standard objective monitoring to determine precise severity."
Every patient presents unique anatomical characteristics. Individual surgical candidacy and protocol details are determined following full clinical airway endoscopy and polysomnography.
Evidence-Based ENT Sleep Care
Structured follow-up protocols ensure verified improvement in nighttime oxygenation and daytime alertness.
Consultation & Faculty Pathway
Every candidate receives coordinated care guided by our ENT surgeons, audiology specialists, and rehabilitation faculty.
Collaborative Clinical Leadership
Our surgical and audiological faculty operate with shared clinical protocols to ensure precision assessment, candidacy evaluation, and ongoing rehabilitation.
Dr. Mondy Hammad
Extensive surgical experience in complex otology and hearing restoration implants.
Dr. Muaaz Tarabichi
Internationally recognized pioneer in endoscopic ear surgery and auditory implantation.
Ms. Nesreen Al Otaibi
Specialized clinical lead in electrophysiological measures and cochlear implant mapping.
Schedule Your Consultation in Abu Dhabi
Connect directly with our patient coordinators to arrange medical review, candidacy testing, or specialist consultation.
Schedule Your Comprehensive Sleep Apnea Evaluation
Persistent snoring, daytime exhaustion, or interrupted breathing require accurate medical assessment. Book an in-depth consultation with our specialized airway and sleep surgeons at Tarabichi Mondy Cochlear Implant Center, Abu Dhabi.
Specialist ENT Evaluation
Thorough airway and sleep diagnostics with Dr. Shailesh Khode, Consultant ENT & Sleep Apnea Surgeon.
Evidence-Based Treatment
Tailored surgical and non-invasive airway management customized to your sleep study results.
Coordinated Clinical Care
Streamlined diagnostic assessment and multidisciplinary follow-up in Abu Dhabi.