In adult burn assessment, what percentage does one leg account for?

In adult burn assessment, the percentage that one leg accounts for is 18%. This is derived from the "Rule of Nines," a method used to quickly estimate the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns. According to this rule, each leg is assigned a value of 18% of the total body surface area.

For adults, the entire body surface area is divided into sections that represent approximately 9% or multiples of 9%. Each arm represents 9%, the head is also 9%, while the anterior and posterior trunk together account for 36% (18% each). Thus, when we look at one leg alone, it makes sense that this would represent 18% of the TBSA.

Understanding these percentages is crucial for emergency care and treatment decisions, especially in determining the severity of burns and the need for fluid resuscitation or referral to a specialized burn unit.