Sore throat after surgery is not uncommon, and it's because of the anesthesia typically. However, that sore throat is usually very temporary and gets better after an hour or two. I always discuss the risks and benefits with patients to make sure that we are safely administering the anesthesia and minimizing the risk of side effects, such as from the breathing tube causing a sore throat. This is the process called intubation, placing an endotracheal tube (ETT) or laryngeal mask airway (LMA), and connecting to a ventilator.