In a randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled study, the efficacy of capsicum plaster (PAS) applied at the Korean hand acupuncture point was compared for the prevention of postoperative sore throat in 150 patients scheduled to undergo abdominal hysterectomy. The K group had PAS applied at the K-A20 of both hands and placebo tape at both non-acupoints. The PAS was applied prior to induction of anaesthesia and removed 8 h postoperatively. The sore-throat scores of Group K were significantly lower than those of other groups at 24 h following surgery. The prevalence of moderate to severe sore throat at 24 h was lower for Group K (0%) than for sham and placebo controls (16 and 19%, respectively). There were no differences in the recovery room of the sore-throat scores for all groups.