ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of limited palatal muscle resection (LPMR) for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).MethodsFrom May 2016 to May 2018, 92 patients were diagnosed as OSAHS by polysomnography (PSG). Their obstructive planes were confirmed at soft palate level by Apneagraph 200 (AG200), computerized tomography (CT) of upper airway and laryngofiberscopy. According to voluntary option of surgical method, the 92 cases were divided into uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) group（n=68） and LPMR group (n=24), and received UPPP and LPMR respectively. At 6 to 12 months after operation, PSG reexamination was performed to all patients and the surgical effect between the two groups was compared and evaluated.ResultsIn the LPMR group, the total effective rate was 91.67% (22/24), including a cure rate of 25% (6/24), a significant effective rate of 25% (6/24), and an effective rate of 41.67% (10/24). And those in the UPPP group were 69.12% (47/68), 14.7%(10/68), 23.53%(16/68) and 30.88%(21/68) respectively. The total effective rate of the LPMR group was significantly higher than that of the UPPP group (χ2=0.013，P<0.05). In the LPMR group, nasal regurgitation in 3 cases and open rhinolalia in 2 ceased entirely within one month after surgery. There were no longterm complications in both groups.ConclusionThe LPMR is an effective and safe technique for the treatment of OSAHS.