Surgical Forceps: Types and Sourcing Considerations
Forceps are the largest instrument family in most surgical catalogs, and the one where pattern names are easiest to confuse. This guide groups forceps by design, explains the jaw and locking options that separate them, and sets out what distributors should specify when sourcing.
This guide covers instrument design, specification and sourcing. It is not clinical guidance; instrument selection for a procedure is a decision for qualified clinicians, and care and reprocessing should follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
Two basic designs
Forceps are either non-locking thumb forceps, held between thumb and fingers and opened by spring tension, or ring-handled locking forceps, built like scissors with finger rings, a joint and a ratchet that holds the jaws closed.
Thumb forceps
Tissue forceps
Tissue forceps have teeth at the tips, commonly described as 1×2 (one tooth on one side meeting two on the other), to hold tissue securely with little pressure. Larger and multi-tooth versions exist for tougher tissue.
Dressing forceps
Dressing forceps have serrated tips without teeth and are used for handling dressings, packing and other materials.
Adson forceps
Adson forceps have a broad thumb grip that narrows sharply to fine tips, and are made with teeth, serrations or both.
Atraumatic forceps
Patterns such as DeBakey have fine longitudinal serrations designed to hold delicate tissue with minimal damage.
Ring-handled grasping forceps
- Allis forceps: several small interlocking teeth at the tips for a firm grip.
- Babcock forceps: rounded, fenestrated jaws without teeth, for a gentler grip.
- Sponge-holding forceps: long instruments with oval, fenestrated jaws, serrated or smooth, for holding sponges and swabs.
- Towel clamps: such as the Backhaus pattern, with sharp curved points to hold drapes and towels in place.
Hemostatic forceps
Hemostatic forceps, often called hemostats or artery forceps, clamp vessels and tissue. They differ mainly in size, jaw shape and serration:
- Halsted mosquito: small and fine, for small vessels.
- Kelly: medium-sized, with serrations along part of the jaw.
- Crile: similar in size to Kelly, with serrations along the full jaw.
- Kocher: heavier, with 1×2 teeth at the tips in addition to serrations.
- Rochester-Pean: larger, with full serrations, for heavier tissue.
Most are offered straight or curved, and in several lengths. Specialty clamps, for example intestinal, renal pedicle or bile duct clamps, are designed for specific anatomy and are specified by pattern.
Jaw patterns and serrations
Jaw design is the main thing that distinguishes one forceps from another:
- Transverse serrations: horizontal grooves across the jaw, common on hemostats
- Longitudinal or atraumatic serrations: fine grooves along the jaw, for delicate tissue
- Teeth: interlocking points at the tip, for a secure grip
- Full or partial serration: along the entire jaw or only the distal part
- Fenestrated jaws: jaws with an opening, as in Babcock and sponge-holding forceps
Serrations and teeth should mesh precisely when the jaws close. Misaligned teeth or serrations are among the most common defects on low-quality forceps.
Locking mechanisms
Ring-handled forceps use a box lock joint and a ratchet with several steps. The box lock should be smooth with no side play, and each ratchet step should engage firmly and release cleanly. For thumb forceps, the equivalent check is even spring tension and precise tip alignment, often helped by guide pins.
Material and finish
Forceps are typically made from hardenable martensitic stainless steel, which keeps jaws, teeth and ratchets rigid. Some patterns are offered with tungsten carbide inserts for longer-lasting grip. Finishes are usually satin (matte) or polished. See the stainless steel guide for more on grades and passivation.
What to specify
- Pattern name and catalog code, if available
- Length, and straight or curved jaws
- Teeth (for example 1×2), serrations, or atraumatic pattern
- Full or partial serrations, for hemostats
- Tip width, for fine thumb forceps
- Tungsten carbide inserts, where required
- Finish, quantity and packaging
Sourcing considerations
Because many forceps patterns differ only in jaw detail, ask for technical sheets or samples whenever a pattern is new to you, and check tip alignment, serration mesh and ratchet action on arrival. Our guide to evaluating surgical instrument quality sets out a structured approach. Return to the surgical instrument types overview, see the forceps and clamps listed in the Precivaro catalog, or read about sourcing for distributors.
Need help sourcing forceps and clamps?
Send us your instrument list, quantities and specifications, and Precivaro will coordinate a quotation with its manufacturing partners.