Could a blood pressure cuff save your surgical flap?
NCT ID NCT03535623
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether a simple procedure called remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) could improve healing of tissue flaps in head and neck cancer patients who had prior radiotherapy. RIPC involves briefly inflating a blood pressure cuff on the arm to create short periods of reduced blood flow. The trial included 44 adults undergoing free flap reconstructive surgery. Researchers measured tissue oxygen and skin temperature of the flap to see if RIPC helped.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a simple, non-drug method to improve surgical outcomes in head and neck cancer patients.
What could go wrong
This is a small, completed trial with only 44 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The intervention is experimental and may not show clear benefit.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Seoul National University Hospital
Seoul, 03080, South Korea