Subclavian artery obstruction by tube thoracostomy.

A case of subclavian artery obstruction by tube thoracostomy for penetrating trauma is presented. The obstruction was not physiologically significant; however, it did impede the assessment of the subclavian artery for potential injury using emergency center arteriography. The difficulty was easily corrected with repositioning of the chest tube. This previously undescribed complication of tube thoracostomy is presented with its clinical implications.