Abstract Background expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty is one of the newly introduced techniques for treating OSA in the last 20 years that showed promising results by increasing the lateral dimensions of the oropharynx by pulling the lateral pharyngeal wall and anchoring it to the pterygomandibular raphe, the paper study the efficacy of performing the procedure using the barbed suture on moderate to severe OSA. Methods Twelve patients with moderate to severe OSA due to oropharyngeal collapse according to VOTE classification after DISE were assigned to the study. Pre- and post-operative Epworth sleepiness scale questionnaire was completed, Pre- and post-operative polysomnography was performed as an objective measurement, all patients underwent BESP and the duration, post- operative complications, and pain records were plotted. Results The technique was confirmed to be feasible with a success rate of 91.7%, with reduction of median AHI from (38.75 to 8.7 event/hour) and reduction of the mean ESS from (20.83 to 5.67) and mean ODI (37.62 to 9.38). Conclusion The barbed expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty is an effective technique for treating obstructive sleep apnea in patients with retropalatal and oropharyngeal collapse.