Pharyngeal dysphagia following transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become a standard diagnostic and monitoring technique performed during and after cardiothoracic surgery to guide decision-making by providing real-time evaluation of cardiac structure and function. It is considered an essential part of the intraoperative care for patients undergoing mitral valve surgery.1 TEE probe insertion involves transpharyngeal placement, intubation of the upper esophageal sphincter, and subsequent manipulation of the probe within the aerodigestive tract in order to obtain the necessary image quality.