ABSTRACT:Introduction: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a common complication of general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation that affects the patient satisfaction after surgery. The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of ketamine gargle with placebo in preventing POST after endotracheal intubation. Methods: Sixty eight patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups, 33 in study group and 35 in control group. Study group patients were asked to gargle with ketamine (50 mg in 1 ml mixed with 29 ml of drinking water) 10 minutes before induction for 30 seconds. Controls were made to do so with 30 ml of drinking water. POST was graded at one, two, four, and 24 hrs after operation on a four-point scale (0-3). The outcome measures were compared between two groups in terms of occurrence of POST and severity of POST at one, two, four, and 24 hr to determine the efficacy of ketamine. Results: Occurrence of POST was significantly less in study group at four hours. Severity of POST was significantly low in study group at one, two and four hours as compared to that in controls. It was comparable at 24 hours. Conclusion: Ketamine gargle significantly reduced the occurrence and severity of POST.