An Unnoticed Broken Sheathed Metallic Stylet in an Endotracheal Tube : A case report

Abstract

We report a 58-years old patient, who underwent surgery for a fracture to the neck of the femur. Tracheal intubation was performed with the aid of a stylet; however, 15 minutes later, it was brought to the notice of the attending anesthesiologist that a broken piece of stylet had been left inside the lumen of the endotracheal tube. Prior to this, there was no evidence of a foreign body in the endotracheal tube or tracheobronchial tree. The broken piece of stylet was successfully retrieved with the help of a Kocher’s forceps.