What is the formula used to calculate fluid resuscitation in burn patients?

The formula recognized for calculating fluid resuscitation in burn patients is based on the principle of providing adequate fluid volume to compensate for the significant fluid loss that occurs following a burn injury. Specifically, the widely accepted formula is 4 mL of lactated ringers solution per kilogram of body weight for each percent of total body surface area (BSA) burned.

Using this formula helps to estimate the total fluid requirement accurately during the initial 24 hours after the burn injury, where the critical factor is the severity of the burns as indicated by the percentage of BSA affected. This means that if a patient weighs 70 kg and has burns covering 50% of their BSA, the calculation would be 4 mL * 70 kg * 50.

This approach is crucial because inadequate fluid resuscitation can lead to shock and organ failure, while excessive fluid can lead to compartment syndrome and other fluid overload complications. Therefore, the formula of 4 * [weight kg] * %BSA accurately addresses the physiological needs of a burn patient in the critical first hours following the injury.