Body Surface Area (BSA) Percentage Calculator

BSA Percentage Formula:

\[ \%BSA = \text{Sum of affected areas} \]

(1 palm ≈ 1% of body surface area)

BSA Percentage (%):

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1. What is Body Surface Area (BSA) Percentage?

Definition: BSA percentage estimates the proportion of body surface area affected, commonly used in burn assessment.

Purpose: Helps medical professionals assess injury severity and guide treatment decisions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the palm method:

\[ \%BSA = \text{Number of affected palms} \]

Where:

1 palm (including fingers) ≈ 1% of total body surface area
The patient's palm size is used as reference

Explanation: Each palm-sized area of affected skin represents approximately 1% of total body surface area.

3. Importance of BSA Calculation

Details: Accurate BSA estimation is crucial for fluid resuscitation, prognosis, and treatment planning in burn cases.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Count the number of palm-sized affected areas and enter the number. The result shows the estimated percentage of total body surface area affected.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is the palm method?
A: It provides a quick estimate (±5% accuracy) and is most reliable for scattered or irregular burns.

Q2: What about larger unaffected areas?
A: The Rule of Nines can be used for major body sections (e.g., entire arm = 9%).

Q3: Does this work for children?
A: Children have different proportions - use age-specific charts for more accuracy.

Q4: What if burns are smaller than palm size?
A: Estimate fractions of a palm (e.g., half palm = 0.5%).

Q5: When should I use more precise methods?
A: For critical cases or when exact measurement is needed, use Lund-Browder charts.