Lightning Learning: Burns #2 (Surface Area)
“Part 2 of our series on Burns Assessment... estimating %BSA.”
What?
Lund and Browder charts give the %BSA for body regions and exist in adult & child versions allowing for changes with age (see above).
Why?
Estimating the burn surface area is necessary to decide the ongoing management of patients. It will help with calculating the patient’s fluid requirement, and can dictate the need for referral to a burns centre.
There are multiple methods – rule of nines/using patient's palm, but these can be less reliable especially in children so the Lund-Browder charts should be used where possible.
Further Reading
- British Burns Association: Referal Criteria
- Best Bets: Assessing the size of burns in patients - which method works best?
- Best Bets: Estimation of burn surface area using the hand
