Effects of stylet use during tracheal intubation on postoperative pharyngeal pain in anesthetized patients: A prospective randomized controlled trial

•We evaluated the effect of stylet for postoperative pharyngeal pain.•40 patients randomly assigned to stylet (Stylet) or non-stylet (Control) group.•The incidence of postoperative pharyngeal pain was significantly higher in the Stylet group than in the Control group.•The incidence of hoarseness did not significantly differ between the Stylet group and the Control group.•Anesthesiologists should be aware of the risk of stylet for postoperative pharyngeal pain.