This study was performed to determine the incidence of sore throat 24 h after tracheal intubation in 1,268 patients ASA I or II, who had undergone elective surgery. A data form was completed. Nosing were age, sex, type of surgery, anaesthetic drug, muscle relaxant, number of intubation attempts, duration of intubation, and presence of sore throat. The incidence of sore throat was 15.06%. It was significantly higher in females than in males (19.29% vs 11.66%; P < 0.01). There was a significant difference between those patients who received fentanyl and those who received pethidine (P < 0.05). There was also a greater incidence after thyroid surgery (P < 0.01). There was no correlation between sore throat and variables such as age, muscle relaxant, narcotic drug, number of intubation attempts, or duration of intubation. Lidocaine jelly and the appropriate analgesic drug reduce the incidence of sore throat following tracheal intubation.