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/granulation tissue at a left bronchial anastomosis 27 days after a left single lung transplant. The formation of this plaque was associated with respiratory failure. The plaque was removed by grasping the plaque with 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 previously.