• The Rule of Nines is a method used in assessing the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by a burn.
• It is particularly useful in emergency settings to quickly estimate the extent of burns to guide treatment decisions and fluid resuscitation.
• The body is divided into sections, each representing approximately 9% (or a multiple of 9%) of the total body surface area
1. Head and neck: 9%
2. Each arm: 9% (total for both arms: 18%)
3. Each leg: 18% (total for both legs: 36%)
4. Anterior trunk: 18%
5. Posterior trunk: 18%
6. Perineum (genital area): 1%
For children, the percentages differ due to the different body proportions. Adjustments are made for age, with larger percentages assigned to the head and smaller percentages to the legs compared to adults.