Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 and up

Paraffin oil to protect skin from tourniquet damage during upper limb surgery

Official title: Paraffin Oil for Preventing Tourniquet-Related Skin Lesions in Upper Extremity Surgery (PARA-TOUR RCT)

Run by Istanbul Medipol University Hospital · NCT07523958 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial will try applying topical paraffin oil to the skin of adults having elective upper extremity surgery to see if it prevents tourniquet-related redness, blisters, or abrasions.

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Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment90 (estimated)
SponsorIstanbul Medipol University Hospital
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Istanbul)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJanuary 12, 2026
Main results expectedJune 2026
Study endsJuly 2026
Registry record updatedJune 4, 2026
Trial IDNCT07523958 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults (age ≥18) scheduled for elective upper extremity surgery with pneumatic tourniquet use, ASA I–III, BMI <30 kg/m², who can give informed consent are ideal candidates.

Probably not a fit

Patients with preexisting dermatologic disease at the tourniquet site, known allergy to paraffin oil, obesity (BMI ≥30), emergency surgery, or expected ICU transfer postoperatively are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a single-center, prospective, two-arm randomized controlled trial comparing topical paraffin oil plus routine protective dressing versus routine protective dressing alone in adults undergoing elective upper extremity surgery with a pneumatic tourniquet. Eligible patients are randomized using a computer-generated block method and the paraffin oil is applied to the skin area where the tourniquet will be placed before surgery. Skin integrity is assessed immediately after tourniquet removal and again at 30 and 60 minutes postoperatively using standardized skin assessment criteria. The trial aims to determine whether a simple, low-cost topical barrier can reduce short-term tourniquet-related skin complications.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a simple, low-cost way to reduce tourniquet-related skin injuries during arm and hand surgeries.

How similar studies have gone: While barrier moisturizers and protective dressings have shown benefit in reducing friction-related skin injuries in other settings, using paraffin oil specifically to prevent tourniquet-related lesions is novel and not widely studied.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
IInclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥18 years
* Patients scheduled for elective upper extremity surgery requiring pneumatic tourniquet application
* ASA physical status I-III
* Body mass index (BMI) \<30 kg/m²
* Ability to provide informed consent
* Willingness to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Age \<18 years
* Known dermatological disease or existing skin lesion at the tourniquet application site
* Allergy or sensitivity to paraffin oil or related substances
* Severe systemic disease (ASA IV or higher)
* Obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²)
* Emergency surgery
* Patients transferred to intensive care postoperatively
* Development of major postoperative complications (e.g., hematoma, seroma, nerve injury, significant bleeding)
* Inability to communicate or comply with study procedures
* Withdrawal from the study at any time

Where it's running

  • Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital Istanbul, Turkey
    Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.