Hemostatic forceps, also called artery forceps or haemostats, are ratcheted clamps that close bleeding vessels so the surgeon can tie or coagulate them, and they are among the most numerous instruments in any set. This guide covers hemostatic forceps types and uses, the difference between curved and straight jaws, sizes and patterns, and what to check when you order them.
What a hemostatic forceps instrument does
A hemostatic forceps instrument has ring handles, a box joint and a ratchet lock. When closed on a vessel the ratchet holds the jaws in place without hand pressure, so the surgeon or assistant can then tie a ligature, apply electrocoagulation or pass a suture. The jaws are serrated across or along their length to grip tissue.
Beyond clamping vessels, haemostats are used to hold sutures, grasp tissue edges, pull drains and tag structures. For that reason, a set always contains many in different sizes. The wider picture of clamp families is described in our article on surgical forceps names and types.
Hemostatic forceps types: the main patterns
The REDA Forceps section centres on haemostatic forceps: Halsted-Mosquito, Hartmann, Crile, Kelly, Spencer-Wells, Rochester-Pean, Rochester-Ochsner, Kocher and Bengolea, in straight and curved versions and several lengths. They differ in size, jaw length, serration pattern and whether the tips carry teeth.
Mosquito forceps are the smallest, with delicate tips for small vessels. Crile and Kelly are mid-sized, with Kelly having longer jaws. Rochester-Pean forceps are larger, with fully serrated jaws, for clamping tissue pedicles. Kocher forceps carry a tooth at the tip for holding tough fascia and should not be used on vessels you intend to preserve. Read more about mosquito forceps, Kelly versus Crile and Kocher forceps.
When planning a set, count by function rather than by name. A general laparotomy set typically needs several small mosquito-type clamps for fine vessels, a good number of mid-sized Kelly or Crile clamps for everyday haemostasis, and a few large clamps for pedicles. Departments that perform a lot of fine plastic or paediatric surgery will shift the balance towards small patterns.
- Halsted-Mosquito: small vessels, delicate tissue
- Crile, Kelly: medium vessels and general use
- Rochester-Pean, Rochester-Ochsner: larger pedicles
- Kocher: toothed, for fascia and dense tissue
Curved hemostatic forceps and straight forceps
Curved hemostatic forceps are the most common because the curve lets the surgeon see the tips and place them accurately, and it follows the contour of a vessel. They are the default for deeper work. Straight forceps give a more direct line and are preferred for superficial work, for holding drapes or sutures and for clamping tissue where the curve gets in the way.
A practical set includes both shapes in at least two or three lengths. Short forceps suit superficial wounds, while long ones reach deep cavities, so choose lengths according to the depth of your typical procedures.
Jaw length also matters: longer jaws capture more tissue and are useful for pedicles, while short jaws give better control of the very tip, which is critical when only a bleeding point should be caught.
Hemostatic forceps uses and correct handling
To clamp a bleeding vessel, apply the tips squarely across it, with only as much tissue included as needed, and close to the first or second notch of the ratchet. Over-closing crushes tissue and strains the box joint. Hold the forceps by the rings and avoid levering them against the tissue.
Never use a hemostat as a needle holder, because the jaws are not designed for it. See needle holder versus hemostat for the explanation. After use, the forceps must be opened fully to release the ratchet and cleaned thoroughly, with attention to the serrations and joint.
Buying checks and ordering
Check that the jaw tips meet exactly, that serrations mesh without gaps, and that the ratchet engages and releases smoothly. A forceps that springs open under light shaking will not hold a vessel. Verify the finish and the joint action. Specify pattern, curve and length, for example Kelly curved at a stated length, because the same pattern name can come in several sizes.
Explore the full REDA forceps and clamps section and send your list of patterns via our contact page. Beckfinity will return with a quotation and advise on how many of each size a general set needs.
Frequently asked questions
What is a hemostatic forceps used for?
To clamp bleeding vessels so they can be tied or coagulated, and to hold sutures or tissue.
What is the difference between artery forceps and haemostats?
They are the same family. Artery forceps is an older name for haemostatic forceps used on vessels.
Why choose curved hemostatic forceps?
The curve gives a better view of the tips and follows the vessel, especially in deeper wounds.
Can I use a Kocher forceps on a vessel?
Kocher forceps have teeth at the tip and are meant for holding fascia and dense tissue, so they are not used where a vessel must be preserved.
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