https://doi.org/10.46889/JCMR.2025.6302 https://athenaeumpub.com/journal-of-clinical-medical-research/ Research Article Role of Smart Phone Based Thermal Camera in Predicting the Salvageability and Outcome of Replanted and Revascularized Fingers: A Real Time Cost Effective Method Hassan Tahir 1* , Rabia Anwar 1 , Obaid Ur Rahman 1 , Adil Iqbal 1 1 Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan *Correspondence author: Hassan Tahir, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan; Email: h.tahir1992@gmail.com Abstract Background: Monitoring of a replanted finger is a challenging and essential part in its success. Although a number of modalities have been defined for this purpose but no consensus have been seen on any one of these to be the most useful method. The purpose of this study is using a smart phone based thermal imaging camera (FLIR ®) for monitoring of replanted digits. Material and Methods: Using a smart phone based thermal imaging camera (FLIR ®) was used with Samsung android phone. The FLIR system delivers a thermal image of the entire replanted digit with difference in color, representing temperature differences (between -20°C to 120°C). Images were obtained both pre and post operatively, these were compared with subsequent serial measurement done on bed side. Results: A total of 30 digits were replanted and re-vascularized in duration of 3 years. All replantation’s and revascularizations were done by the same surgeon. Seventy percent involved non dominant hand and 30% involved dominant hand. Majority (72.72%) involved a single digit, 27.27% involved multiple. All replantation were done which were amputated proximal to PIPJ. Conclusion: Being a non-invasive temperature measuring modality this method aids in prompt decision making for replantation. It also reliably predicts the probability of survival of the replanted digit. Smart phone based monitoring is non operator dependent, depicting the actual temperature difference between the replanted and adjacent digits, which helps in monitoring. Keywords: Replantation; Monitoring; Thermal Imaging; Smart Phone Based Imaging; Salvageability Introduction The term amputation is coined from a Latin word ‘Amputare’ which means total or partial separation of a part of a body which may be traumatic or surgical [1,2]. Amputations involving the upper limb, more specifically the hand cause devastating psychosocial and socioeconomic consequences affecting both the victim and family [3]. Replanting an amputated limb or a part of a limb is a challenging but life changing procedure. It is defined as the surgical reattachment of a body part, that has been completely cut from a person’s body. First ever arm replantation was performed by Malt and McKhann in 1962 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, United States [4]. Tamai and Komatsu reported the first ever finger replantation in 1968 [5]. Monitoring of a replanted digit/limb can improve early detection and salvageability of the replant. Parameters such as skin color, skin turgor, temperature and capillary refill that are used for monitoring of free flap are routinely used for monitoring of digital replant but are subjected to errors and observer dependent [6-8]. Over a period of years, development in technology led to introduction of number of monitoring devices including Laser Doppler Imaging (LDI), laser speckle imaging, laser speckle contrast analysis, doppler ultrasonography, transcutaneous oxygen monitoring, quantitative fluoroscopy and near infrared Citation: Tahir H, et al. Role of Smart Phone Based Thermal Camera in Predicting the Salvageability and Outcome of Replanted and Revascularized Fingers: A Real Time Cost Effective Method. Jour Clin Med Res. 2025;6(3):1-6. https://doi.org/10.46889/JCMR.2025. 6302 Received Date: 25-08-2025 Accepted Date: 08-09-2025 Published Date: 15-09-2025 Copyright: © 2025 by the authors. Submitted for possible open access publication under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CCBY) license (https://creativecommons.org/li censes/by/4.0/).