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

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.

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% (total 18% for both arms)
• Each leg: 18% (total 36% for both legs)
• Front torso: 18%
• Back torso: 18%
• Genitals: 1%

3. Importance of Burn Percentage Calculation

Clinical Significance: Burn percentage helps determine:

• Fluid resuscitation needs
• Hospital admission criteria
• Prognosis and survival likelihood
• Need for specialized burn care

4. Using the Calculator

Instructions: Enter the percentage burned for each body region. The calculator sums these values to give total %TBSA burned.

Note: For partial burns to a region, estimate the percentage of that specific region affected (e.g., if half the front torso is burned, enter 9%).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is the Rule of Nines accurate for all patients?
A: It's most accurate for adults. Children have different proportions (e.g., larger head percentage).

Q2: What about burns to the palm?
A: The patient's palm (not including fingers) represents about 0.5% TBSA and can be used for small burns.

Q3: When is a burn considered critical?
A: Generally, burns covering >20% TBSA in adults or >10% in children are considered major burns requiring specialized care.

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

Q5: Are there alternatives to the Rule of Nines?
A: Yes, the Lund-Browder chart is more accurate (especially for children) but more complex to use.