ABSTRACT
The Wallace rule of nines is a simple and rough guide to assessing the extent of burn injuries. The body is divided into 10 anatomical regions that are multiples of 9 per cent (see Figure 82.1). The perineum is estimated as 1 per cent, as is the palmar surface of the hand, which is an alternative way of assessing percentage body area involved. The most accurate method of assessing total body surface area (TBSA) involved is the Lund and Browder chart which is used in burns units. It is important to remember that the rule of nines needs to be modified when applied to a child as the head represents a larger surface area and the legs represent a smaller surface area compared to an adult.
