[Heart luxation following pneumonectomy]

A herniation (with torsion) of the heart trough a dehiscent pericardial suture was observed on the second postoperative day after right-sided pneumonectomy, when shock symptoms developed. Chest x-ray was diagnostic and lead to rethoracotomy with successful reposition of the heart.--Another case showed an atypical bulge of the heart contour after pneumonectomy with partial pericardial resection. It was caused by pericardial fat, sutured on the defect for occlusion.