A NEW COMPLICATION RELATED TO LASER BRONCHOSCOPY IN A SINGLE-LUNG TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT

We report a nearly complete obstruction of the left mainstem bronchus by a fibrinomyxoid plaque about 12 h after laser resection of scar/gra nulation tissue at a left bronchial anastomosis 27 days after a left s ingle lung transplant. The formation of this plaque was associated wit h respiratory failure. The plaque was removed by grasping the plaque w ith biopsy forceps inserted through a fiberoptic bronchoscopy that was placed into the left mainstem bronchus via an endotracheal tube while the patient was receiving manual ventilation under general anesthesia . The respiratory failure resolved with removal of the plaque. To our knowledge, this is a complication that has not been reported previousl y.