1. What is the Rule of Nines for Burn Assessment?

Definition: The Rule of Nines is a method used to estimate the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns.

Purpose: It helps medical professionals quickly assess burn severity and determine treatment needs, including fluid resuscitation.

2. How Does the Rule of Nines Work?

The body is divided into regions, each representing approximately 9% (or multiples of 9%) of the total body surface area:

Body Regions:

• Head and neck: 9%
• Each arm: 9% (front and back)
• Each leg: 18% (front and back)
• Front torso: 18%
• Back torso: 18%
• Genitals: 1%

3. Importance of Burn Surface Area Calculation

Details: Accurate TBSA estimation is critical for:

• Determining burn severity (minor, moderate, major)
• Calculating fluid resuscitation needs (Parkland formula)
• Assessing prognosis and need for specialized care
• Guiding treatment decisions

4. Using the Calculator

Instructions: For each body region, enter the percentage burned (0 if no burns). The calculator sums all values to give total %TBSA.

Note: For pediatric patients, different percentages apply (head larger, legs smaller in children).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What constitutes a major burn?
A: Typically burns covering >20% TBSA in adults or >10% in children, or burns involving critical areas.

Q2: How accurate is the Rule of Nines?
A: It provides a quick estimate. For more precision, use the Lund-Browder chart (especially for children).

Q3: What about partial thickness vs full thickness burns?
A: Both are included in TBSA calculation, but depth affects treatment decisions.

Q4: How does this affect fluid resuscitation?
A: The Parkland formula uses TBSA to calculate fluid requirements (4ml × %TBSA × kg body weight).

Q5: What if burns are scattered?
A: Use the palm method (patient's palm = ~1% TBSA) to estimate scattered burns.