Feasibility and Value of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Anesthetized Children

The value of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in adults is now well established (Visser et al. 1988). The experience with this modality in children, however, is still very limited. This is mainly due to the relatively large size of the presently commercially available transducers on the one hand, and to the better images usually obtained in infants and children on the other hand. Transthoracically inaccesible structures may, however, exist, e.g., retrosternal conduits. TEE may also be used in the operating room for monitoring purposes.