"Palm Method"

Q: How the "palm method" can be quickly used in estimating a Body Surface Area (TBSA) in patients? 


Answer: 

• The palm of the patient's hand excluding the fingers is about 0.5 percent of total body surface area.
• The palm of the patient's hand including the fingers is about 1 percent of total body surface area.

Above-said, although this is a quick method of TBSA but is not a very reliable one.

#burns

References:

1. Sheridan RL, Petras L, Basha G, et al. Planimetry study of the percent of body surface represented by the hand and palm: sizing irregular burns is more accurately done with the palm. J Burn Care Rehabil 1995; 16:605. 

2. Nagel TR, Schunk JE. Using the hand to estimate the surface area of a burn in children. Pediatr Emerg Care 1997; 13:254.