TBSA — Total Body Surface Area Burned (Rule of Nines)
Lund-Browder / Rule of Nines method for estimating total body surface area burned. Guides fluid resuscitation and transfer criteria.
Score interpretation
TBSA <10%: Minor burn
→ Outpatient management if superficial; wound care; analgesia; tetanus prophylaxis; review in 48h
TBSA 10–19%: Moderate burn
→ Parkland formula IV fluids; hospital admission; burns unit referral if partial/full thickness; nutritional support
TBSA 20–39%: Major burn
→ Urgent burns unit transfer; IV fluid resuscitation (Parkland); airway assessment; analgesia; catheterise; nutritional support from day 1
TBSA ≥40%: Critical burn
→ Burns ICU; immediate intubation if inhalation injury suspected; massive fluid resuscitation; escharotomy if circumferential; mortality >50% at TBSA >60%
Interpretation bands for the TBSA Burns. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Lund CC, Browder NC. The estimation of areas of burns. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1944;79:352-358.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Lipid Emulsion 20% (Intralipid) · Antidote / Resuscitation
- Lipid Emulsion 20% (Intralipid) · Antidote / Resuscitation
- Potassium chloride with calcium chloride and sodium chloride · Crystalloid IV fluid
- Potassium chloride with calcium chloride sodium chloride and sodium lactate · Balanced crystalloid IV fluid
- Potassium chloride with glucose · IV fluid (potassium + dextrose)
- Potassium chloride with glucose and sodium chloride · IV fluid (mixed)
- Suspicious Pigmented Lesion — Melanoma Pathway · NICE NG14 2015 / BAD
- Cellulitis and Erysipelas · NICE NG141 2019 / CREST
- Psoriasis — Severity Assessment and Step-Up Therapy · NICE NG153 2019 / BAD
- Atopic Eczema — Assessment and Step-Up Therapy · NICE NG95 2023
- Urticaria and Angioedema · BSACI / EAACI Guidelines 2022
- Acne Vulgaris — Grading and Treatment · NICE NG198 2021 / BAD
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.