Module 4 - Thermal, Electrical and Chemical Injuries

Estimating Burn Surface Area (BSA)

• The patient’s palm area is roughly 1% of their total body-surface area (BSA)
• “Rule of Nines” is used as rough guide for adult BSA

  > Head and neck 9%

  > Each upper limb 9%

  > Each lower limb 18% (anterior 9%, posterior 9%)

  > Torso 36% (anterior 18%, posterior18%)

  > Perineum 1%

• Lund and Browder chart is most accurate method (see below)
• If BSA of burn is >15% for adult or >10% for child, patient requires hospitalization for intravenous fluid resuscitation

Author: SP Zinn