Estimating Burn Extent

The burn extent is based on that percentage of Body Surface Area (BSA) which clinically has 2nd and 3rd degree burn, but does not include areas of 1st degree burn.

There are many methods for estimating burn extent, including:

• Rule of Nine's - in increments of 9% BSA
  • entire upper limb
  • anterior or posterior surface of one lower limb
  • 1/2 of the anterior or posterior surface of the trunk
  • total head and neck (adult)

• Lund & Browder Chart emphasizes the relatively larger head size in:
  • in infancy (largest)
  • childhood (larger)
  • adulthood (normal)

• Patient's palm size in children represents 1 - 1.25%

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