Understanding Anesthesiology - The Global Regional Anesthesia ...

Stylet
A stylet is a firm, bendable device that is placed inside the lumen of endotracheal tube prior
to intubation. It allows the anesthesiologist to make a bend in the endotracheal tube to facilitate
intubation.
Just after the tube is passed through the laryngeal inlet, the stylet is pulled out (by an assistant)
whereupon the anesthesiologist advances the tube into its final position in the trachea.
The anesthesiologist must hold the tube firmly as the stylet is pulled out, to avoid the displacement
of the endotracheal tube.
The stylet has the potential to cause trauma to the airway and must never be positioned beyond
the tip of the endotracheal tube. Furthermore, the stylet should be removed as soon as
the tip of the tube has passed the glottis. One is not meant to pass the styletted tube into the
mid-trachea.
A stylet is not required for most intubations; the use of a stylet should not be a compensation
for improper intubation technique.
Related Glossary Terms
Adjunct, Difficult airway, Direct laryngoscopy, Intubation, Laryngoscope, Macintosh blade,
Magill blade, Rapid sequence induction, Sniffing position
Index
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Chapter 1 - Airway Management