Types of Surgical Forceps and Their Uses: A Buyer's Guide

"Forceps" covers hundreds of instruments, from fine ophthalmic tweezers to heavy intestinal clamps. For buying purposes they fall into a few families. Each family is defined by how it is held and by what the jaw is designed to grip. This guide walks through the main types of surgical forceps, the patterns you will see named on a tray, and how to choose between them.

Two basic designs: thumb forceps and ring-handled forceps

• Thumb forceps (also called tweezer-style or pick-ups) are two spring arms joined at one end. They open by themselves and close only while you squeeze. Tissue and dressing forceps are in this group.
• Ring-handled forceps look like scissors, with finger rings and a box joint. Most have a ratchet near the rings that locks the jaws closed. Hemostats, Allis, Babcock and Kocher forceps are in this group.

The rule of thumb: thumb forceps hold tissue briefly while you work; locking forceps hold on by themselves so your hands are free.

Tissue forceps (with teeth)

Tissue forceps have interlocking teeth at the tip, described as "1x2" (one tooth on one side fitting between two on the other). Teeth give a secure grip with little pressure, which is why they are used on skin and tougher tissue.

• Adson tissue forceps: short, with a broad thumb area that narrows sharply to a fine tip. A standard for skin closure. Example: 4 3/4" Adson Tissue Forceps with 1x2 Teeth.
• Standard tissue forceps in longer lengths for deeper work.

Dressing forceps (no teeth)

Dressing forceps have cross-serrations instead of teeth. They are used to handle dressings, gauze and packing, and for tissue where teeth would cause unnecessary damage. The 4 3/4" Adson Dressing Forceps is the same Adson shape with a serrated, toothless tip.

Atraumatic forceps: DeBakey and Russian

• DeBakey forceps have fine longitudinal grooves along the jaw. They grip without piercing, which is why they are the standard for handling vessels and bowel. Tip width (for example 1.5mm or 2mm) and length vary by depth of field. Example: DeBakey "GG" Vascular Tissue Forceps, 2mm Tip.
• Russian forceps have rounded, cup-shaped tips with radial serrations, giving a broad, gentle grip. Example: Russian Pattern Tissue Forceps 15cm.

Hemostatic forceps (hemostats)

Hemostats are locking forceps designed to clamp vessels. They are named mainly by size and by how far the serrations run along the jaw.

• Mosquito: the smallest, for fine vessels. See 5" DeBakey Mosquito Forceps, Curved.
• Kelly: medium size, with serrations on the front half of the jaw. See Kelly Hemostatic Forceps Curved 14cm.
• Crile: similar size to Kelly, with serrations along the full length of the jaw.
• Kocher / Ochsner: heavier, with 1x2 teeth at the tip for a firm hold on dense tissue such as fascia. See Rochester-Ochsner / Kocher Forceps, 1x2 Teeth, Straight.

Browse the full hemostatic forceps collection.

Grasping forceps: Allis and Babcock

• Allis forceps have several fine interlocking teeth across a flared tip. They hold tissue firmly and are typically used on tissue that will be removed or on tough tissue. Example: 5 1/2" Allis Tissue Forceps, 3x4 Teeth.
• Babcock forceps have a rounded, fenestrated jaw with no teeth. They encircle and hold delicate tubular structures, such as bowel, without crushing them. Example: 5 1/4" Petite Point Babcock Forceps, 6mm Jaw.

Laparoscopic forceps

Most open patterns also exist as laparoscopic instruments: Maryland dissectors, Babcock and Allis graspers and DeBakey graspers on long 5mm or 10mm shafts. See the laparoscopic forceps and graspers range.

How to choose

1. Tissue first. Skin and tough tissue: toothed. Vessels and bowel: atraumatic (DeBakey, Babcock). Dressings: serrated, toothless.
2. Hold time. Brief handling: thumb forceps. Hands-free hold: ring-handled with ratchet.
3. Depth of field. Choose a length that keeps your hand out of the sight line. Longer versions of most patterns are available.
4. Tip width. Finer tips give precision; broader tips spread pressure.
5. Straight or curved. Curved jaws help you see the tip around structures; straight jaws are simpler to align.

Frequently asked questions

What does "1x2 teeth" mean?

One tooth on one jaw meshes between two teeth on the other. The count describes the tip pattern and appears in product names across the forceps range.

What is the difference between Kelly and Crile hemostats?

Size is similar. Kelly serrations cover roughly the front half of the jaw; Crile serrations run the full jaw length.

Are titanium forceps worth it?

Titanium forceps are lighter than stainless steel and non-magnetic, which is why they are common in micro and ophthalmic work. For general surgery, stainless steel remains the standard. Several patterns are stocked in both, such as the Kelly Hemostatic Forceps Titanium Curved 14cm.

Shop surgical forceps

See the full surgical forceps collection of over 1,300 patterns, together with needle holders and surgical scissors to complete a tray. Not sure which Metzenbaum or Mayo scissors to pair with them? Read our guide to Metzenbaum vs Mayo scissors, and our surgical retractors buying guide.

DDP Elite USA is a Miami-based supplier with over 7,000 surgical and dental instruments online. All US orders ship free, and every instrument carries our 3-year warranty.