Abstract: The present invention relates to aids, such as a guard 1, for use in throat and oral cavity surgical operations, such as tonsillectomies, that require a surgeon to gain access via a patient's mouth, as well a method of surgery utilising such a guard 1. The guard 1 includes a first protection member 2 having a protection surface 3 and a second protection member 4 having a protection surface 5. The protection members 2 and 4 are connected by means of a spine 6. The spine portion 6 being integrally formed with the protection members 2 and 4 provides sufficient elasticity to enable the clamping ends 7 and 8 of members 2 and 3 respectively, to engage the inside and outside surfaces of a patient's mouth region to thereby reasonably attach the guard 1 to a side of a patient's mouth.