Percentage Of Burns Calculation

TBSA Calculation:

TBSA = sum(regions %)

Head and Neck:

Upper Limbs:

Trunk:

Lower Limbs:

Perineum:

Total Body Surface Area (TBSA):

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1. What is TBSA Calculation?

Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) calculation is a method used to estimate the percentage of body surface area affected by burns. It is a critical assessment in burn medicine to determine treatment protocols and prognosis.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

TBSA = sum(regions %)

Where:

Head and Neck — Percentage of burns in head and neck area
Upper Limbs — Percentage of burns in upper limbs
Trunk — Percentage of burns in trunk area
Lower Limbs — Percentage of burns in lower limbs
Perineum — Percentage of burns in perineum area

Explanation: The calculator sums the percentages from all body regions to calculate the total body surface area affected by burns.

3. Importance of TBSA Calculation

Details: Accurate TBSA estimation is crucial for determining fluid resuscitation needs, assessing burn severity, guiding treatment decisions, and predicting patient outcomes in burn care.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the percentage of burns for each body region. The sum of all percentages will give you the total body surface area affected. Values should be between 0-100% for each region.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the Rule of Nines in burn assessment?
A: The Rule of Nines divides the body into sections that represent 9% or multiples of 9% of the total body surface area, providing a quick way to estimate burn extent.

Q2: How accurate is TBSA estimation?
A: While useful for initial assessment, TBSA estimation can have inter-observer variability. More precise methods like Lund and Browder chart may be used for accurate measurement.

Q3: Why is TBSA important for fluid resuscitation?
A: Fluid resuscitation formulas (like Parkland formula) use TBSA to calculate the amount of fluids needed in the first 24 hours after burn injury.

Q4: How does age affect TBSA distribution?
A: Body proportions change with age. Infants have a larger head percentage relative to body size, which is accounted for in pediatric burn assessment charts.

Q5: When is a burn considered critical based on TBSA?
A: Burns covering more than 20-25% of TBSA in adults (10-20% in children or elderly) are generally considered major burns requiring specialized care.