Estimating body surface area

Rule of Nines

Rule of Nines

Adults

Anatomic structure	Surface area
Anterior Head	4.5%
Posterior Head	4.5%
Anterior Torso	18%
Posterior Torso	18%
Each Anterior Leg	9%
Each Posterior Leg	9%
Each Anterior Arm	4.5%
Each Posterior Arm	4.5%
Genitalia/Perineum	1%

Children

Anatomic structure	Surface area
Anterior Head	9%
Posterior Head	9%
Anterior Torso	18%
Posterior Torso	18%
Each Anterior Leg	6.5%
Each Posterior Leg	6.5%
Each Anterior Arm	4.5%
Each Posterior Arm	4.5%
Genitalia/Perineum	1%

Rule of Palms

• Patient's entire hand (palm+fingers) = about 1% TBSA
• Use to estimate scatter burns
• Also use for local burns up to 10% BSA

Lund-Browder Classification

Lund Browder Chart to document initial TBSA assessment.

An alternative method of estimate burn surface area

• More accurate than "Rule of Nines," especially in pediatric patients

Children

Anatomic structure	0 Yr	1 Yr	5 Yrs	10 Yrs	15 Yrs
Anterior Head	9.5%	8.5%	6.5%	5.5%	4.5%
Posterior Head	9.5%	8.5%	6.5%	5.5%	4.5%
Anterior Neck	1%	1%	1%	1%	1%
Posterior Neck	1%	1%	1%	1%	1%
Anterior Torso	13%	13%	13%	13%	13%
Posterior Torso	13%	13%	13%	13%	13%
Each Anterior Upper Leg	2.75%	3.25%	4%	4.25%	4.5%
Each Posterior Upper Leg	2.75%	3.25%	4%	4.25%	4.5%
Each Anterior Lower Leg	2.5%	2.5%	2.75%	3%	3.25%
Each Posterior Lower Leg	2.5%	2.5%	2.75%	3%	3.25%
Each Anterior Upper Arm	2%	2%	2%	2%	2%
Each Posterior Upper Arm	2%	2%	2%	2%	2%
Each Anterior Lower Arm	1.5%	1.5%	1.5%	1.5%	1.5%
Each Posterior Lower Arm	1.5%	1.5%	1.5%	1.5%	1.5%
Each Anterior Hand	1.5%	1.5%	1.5%	1.5%	1.5%
Each Posterior Hand	1.5%	1.5%	1.5%	1.5%	1.5%
Each Anterior Foot/Ankle	1.75%	1.75%	1.75%	1.75%	1.75%
Each Posterior Foot/Ankle	1.75%	1.75%	1.75%	1.75%	1.75%
Each Buttock	2.5%	2.5%	2.5%	2.5%	2.5%
Genitalia/Perineum	1%	1%	1%	1%	1%

See Also

• Burns