Summary:Better visualization of cardiac structures is an advantage of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Because of this, the transesophageal approach is an essential window in the assessment of various cardiovascular disorders. Quick consecutive access to this instrument should not be delayed by timeconsuming cleansing procedures of the probe. In this study we used a sterile latex condom in routine TEE examinations a s a barrier to contamination of the echoscope, observing practical use and the incidence of perforations. Defects were detected after the procedure by visual inspection and by an airtightness test. Maneuvers or situations associated with an increased likelihood of injury were checked for. In 180 studies a total of 168 patients were consecutively examined; insertion was feasible in all but one case (99.5%). We found 8 of 181 (4.4%) sheaths defective following the procedure. Visual inspection was less sensitive (only 3 of 8) for finding defects than an airtightness test (8 times). Teeth in situ andor a bite guard are the only sharp edges during insemon and removing the probe, these Seem to be the main risk factors in latex perforation. Application of a cover sheath for each examination saves approximately twothirds of the time otherwise necessary for a cleansing bath, and easy handling of cover sheaths for TEE make them an altemative to regular disinfection in general. For reasons of safety we recommend checking each used cover sheath after examination for holes so as not to jeopardw the following patient by the pos-