Calculating burn area (Total Body Surface Area - TBSA) is one of the most important factors in determining burn severity and treatment plan, especially regarding intravenous fluid requirements and the need for transfer to a specialized burn center.
Methods of Calculating Burn Area:
- Rule of Nines: The most famous method for adults — head 9%, each arm 9%, each leg 18%, anterior trunk 18%, posterior trunk 18%, perineum 1%.
- Palm Rule: The patient's palm (without fingers) represents approximately 1% of their body surface — useful for small or scattered burns.
- Lund-Browder Charts: More accurate especially for children, as they account for body proportion differences by age.
Why Area Matters:
Burns exceeding 10% in children or 15% in adults require intravenous fluid resuscitation according to the Parkland formula. Burns over 20% can cause life-threatening burn shock. At BEIT TARIQ Center, we assess every case precisely using the latest British protocols to ensure the patient receives appropriate treatment from the very first moment.