Management of postpneumonectomy syndrome with a bronchoscopically placed endobronchial stent

Postpneumonectomy syndrome is a rare complication of right pneumonectomy characterized by marked shift and counterclockwise rotation of the heart and mediastinum into the evacuated hemithorax. Typically the left primary bronchus is draped over the aorta or spine and is markedly compressed. We describe one patient with postpneumonectomy syndrome successfully managed nonsurgically with a bronchoscopically placed Silastic endobronchial stent.