Surface Area Calculation
Wallace’s Rule of Nines estimates an adult’s affected BSA using multiples of 9 representing different areas of the body.
- Head and neck represent 9%.
- Each lower extremity is 18%.
- Each upper extremity is 9%.
- Anterior and posterior torso are 18% each.
- For scattered or irregular burns, the palmar surface of the person’s hand represents approximately 1%.
- Rule of 9s for Children: 9% for each arm, 14% for each leg, 18% for head, 18% for front torso, 18% for back torso.
Fluid Resuscitation
Fluid resuscitation is a critical aspect of burn care but only for large burns where fluid extravasation becomes an issue. So fluids are only indicated in more significant surface area burns:
- 15% total body surface area for adults
- 10% for children
Parkland formula: The fluid requirements for burns patients in a 24 hour period in mL. For fluids within the first 8 hours, half the value.