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Burns BSA — Rule of Nines

Affected Body Regions (Adult Rule of Nines)

Note: This uses the adult Rule of Nines. Pediatric patients have proportionally larger head and smaller leg percentages.

Total BSA Burned

0%

No burn area selected

About

The Rule of Nines is a rapid method to estimate the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns in adults. It divides the body into regions, each representing approximately 9% (or a multiple of 9%) of the total body surface area. This estimation is critical for guiding fluid resuscitation (e.g., Parkland formula) and determining the need for burn center referral.

Formula

Total BSA Burned (%) = Sum of affected body region percentages
Rule of Nines (Adult): Head 9%, Each Arm 9%, Anterior Trunk 18%, Posterior Trunk 18%, Each Leg 18%, Perineum 1%

Interpretation

Total BSA BurnedSeverityManagement
< 10%MinorOutpatient management possible
10 – 20%ModerateHospital admission recommended
> 20%MajorBurn center referral required

References

  1. Wallace AB. The exposure treatment of burns. Lancet. 1951;1(6653):501-504.
  2. Hettiaratchy S, Papini R. Initial management of a major burn: II—assessment and resuscitation. BMJ. 2004;329(7457):101-103.

FAQ

Related Calculators

Parkland

Calculate fluid resuscitation for burn patients using the Parkland formula.

Shock Index

Calculate shock index from heart rate and systolic blood pressure.

IV Fluid Rate

Calculate maintenance IV fluid rate using the 4-2-1 rule.

Disclaimer

For educational and informational purposes only. Not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.