A "Handy" Rule for Burn Size Redefined

The palm of the hand is often used to estimate burn body surface area (BSA) in children (palm = 1% BSA), but there is confusion about whether "palm" means just the palmar surface or also includes the fingers.

These authors from Southwestern Texas Methodist Hospital and Primary Children's Emergency Department in Salt Lake City compared the two definitions in 91 children aged 1 to 13, using photocopy images of each child's right hand. The mean percentage of BSA represented by the entire palmar surface including fingers was 0.94%, while the mean percentage of BSA represented by the palm without fingers was only 0.52%.