Sheared plastic coating of the stylet: A rare but potentially serious complication of endotracheal intubation [Stilenin plastik kaplamasinin kopmasi: Endotrakeal entübasyonun nadir fakat potansiyel olarak ciddi bir komplikasyonu]

Introduction: stylets are plastic coated to prevent injury from sharp or rough metal ends and to facilitate their removal after intubation. however,the plastic coating may lead to problems. in this case report,we aimed to report an experience in which the plastic coating of the stylet sheared during its removal from a 4 mm reinforced endotracheal tube. case report: a 3-year-old child scheduled for adenoidectomy under general anesthesia was intubated using a 4 mm reinforced endotracheal tube with the aid of a plastic coated stylet. at removal,it was noticed that the plastic coating over the distal part of the stylet was missing and the lumen of the endotracheal tube was obstructed by the distal sheared-off portion. the endotracheal tube was immediately removed and confirmed that the sheared-off part is a single piece. the patient was re-intubated with another endotracheal tube and stylet. subsequent surgical procedure,the maintenance and the recovery periods were uneventful. conclusion: this case report highlights that a shearing off the plastic coating of the stylet is a rare,but potentially serious complication. furthermore,suggestions for prevention,early diagnosis and airway management when plastic coating has been sheared-off were presented.