It is not necessary to remove a jet stylet to determine tracheal tube location

A jet stylet is a small internal diameter (ID), semirigid hollow catheter that is inserted into an in situ tracheal tube prior to extubation of a patient who may be difficult to reintubate. After the tracheal tube is withdrawn over the jet stylet, the hollow catheter can be used for jet ventilation or as an intratracheal stylet for reintubation with a new tracheal tube. It was previously thought that after the new tracheal tube was inserted over the jet stylet, the stylet would have to be removed to allow connection of the new tube to the breathing circuit and confirmation of intratracheal placement of the tube. We describe a method for preserving the intratracheal location of the jet stylet while confirming intratracheal placement of the new tracheal tube.