Abstract: The localization diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS)is important for selecting the appropriate surgical treatment, and improving curative effect. However, there still remains some confusion. Although there exist many commonly used localization diagnosis methods, including nose throat routine examination, endoscopy plus MULLER, upper-airway-esophageal continuous pressure measurement, upper-airway imaging examination, drug inducing sleep endoscopy, and so on, none of them can provide accurate evidence for surgical treatment or predict the outcome comparatively precisely. Based on relevant literature and the authors clinical experience and research, the author puts forward that elaborate localization diagnosis is not necessarily listed as a routine examination, and it applies only to cases with unknown causes or cases which need to be furthered studied. In the future, studies on the pathogenesis of OSAHS should be strengthened. The localization diagnosis is important, but what is more important is to detect the causes for airway stenosis and blockage, in order to develop more precise treatment plan, and achieve satisfactory outcomes by minimally invasive surgery.

Key words: Sleep apnea, obstructive, Localization diagnosis, Surgery