Chapter 5, Problem 6CRCAQ

Summary Introduction

To review:

The percentage of the total affected surface area of the body in the following conditions: the entire portion of the buttocks and the posterior trunk has burned, the entire portion of the lower limb has burned, and the entire front portion of the upper left limb has burned.

Introduction:

The injuries of the skin or tissues that occur due to heat, electricity, cold, friction, radiation, and chemicals are called burns. The severity or impact of burns depends upon the temperature of the burning substance or its surface. The burns are categorized into three types which are first-degree burns, second-degree burns, and third-degree burns.

Rule of nines is a method for the estimation of the extent of burning. It is normally calculated in percentages. In this rule of nine, the body is divided into distinct sections of 9 percent each or a multiple of 9 percent. The estimation of burn percent by the method of nine helps in transferring the patient to the appropriate burn unit for treatment.

According to the rule of nines, the surface area of the head and the neck is considered 9% of the total body surface area (BSA). Each leg and the entire back are considered 18% (each). The burn in the groin area is 1%. The surface area of the anterior and posterior trunk area is 36%, for anterior and posterior upper limb is 18% while for anterior and posterior lower limb is 36%. The area for the left and right buttock is 9%. The percentage of the total affected surface area of the body in the above-mentioned conditions are mentioned below:

1. The entire portion of buttocks and the posterior trunk has burned: By using the above information, the percentage of the posterior trunk will be 18% while for the right and the left buttocks it will be 4.5% each. So, the total percentage of the entire burnt portion like buttocks and posterior trunks is 27%.

2. The entire portion of the lower limb has burned: By using the above information, the percentage of the entire lower limb, which is burnt will be 18%.

3. The entire front portion of the upper left limb has burned: By using the above information, the percentage of the entire upper left limb which is burnt will be 4.5%. (percentage of the left limb is 9%, so for upper left limb and lower left limb it will be 4.5%).