Estimation of Burn Area:

The  estimation of  the  extent  of  burn area expressed as  the  percentage  of  the surface  area  of  the skin  burnt to  the  total body  surface area (TBSA)  is important, not  only  for giving treatment but  also as a prognostic indicator. 

Rule  of Nines:

The conventional "Rule of Nines" first devised by  pulaski  and  tennison and popularised by wallace  is applicable only to children above 10 years of  age. The body  surface  is divided into areas representing  9  per cent or multiples of 9  per cent. The  head  and neck  constitutes 9  per  cent;  anterior trunk  2 x  9 or 18 per  cent; posterior trunk 19 per cent; each  lower extremity  18 per cent; each upper extremity  9 per  cent;  and  the perineum 1 per  cent.  

Rule of Five:

It  is convenient, easy  and  quick method  of  estimation of  surface area  of  burns in  young children  as  shown  in fig. Scattered  areas of  damage can  be  calculated using the knowledge that the palmer surface of  one's  own hand with fingers and  thumb  by  the side constitute approximately 1.0 percent  of  the body  surface.