Burn Injuries (Part 3)

Rule of Nines

This method is used in calculating body surface area involved in burns. Here are Rule of Nines (Adult):

• Head and nect: 9%
• Anterior trunk: 18%
• Posterior trunk: 18 %
• Arm (9% each): 18%
• Legs (9% each): 18%
• Perineum: 1%

We can estimate the body surface area on an adult that has been burned by using multiples of 9.
For example, if both legs (18% x 2 = 36%), anterior trunk (18%) and both of arm (18%) were burned, this would involve 72% of the body.