Forceps

Forceps are a handheld, hinged instrument used for grasping and holding objects. Forceps are used when fingers are too large to grasp small objects or when many objects need to be held at one time while the hands are used to perform a task. The term forceps is used almost exclusively within the medical field. Outside medicine, people usually refer to forceps as tweezers, tongs, pliers, clips or clamps.

Types of Forceps

Forceps come in three varieties: thumb forceps, tissue forceps, and hemostatic forceps.

• Thumb Forceps: Thumb forceps are spring forceps used by compression between your thumb and forefinger and are used for grasping, holding or manipulating body tissue. They are non-ratchet style. For example, you could use thumb forceps to hold or move tissues during surgery or during a dissection.

• Tissue Forceps: Tissue forceps are used to hold and manipulate delicate tissues. These forceps are designed to hold tissue without causing trauma. The most common type of tissue forceps is the Adson tissue forceps, which have a wide, flat thumb grasp area that is commonly serrated.

• Hemostatic Forceps: Hemostatic forceps are hinged forceps used to secure a bleeding vessel. These are ratchet style and lock in place.

Uses in Medicine

Forceps are used in many types of medical procedures. In surgery, forceps are used for suturing, for holding a surgical swab, for compressing a bleeding vessel, for manipulating a needle while it is being passed through tissue and for many other purposes. Forceps can be used in biopsies to hold a small piece of tissue or in childbirth to assist the delivery of a baby.

History

The use of forceps in medicine dates back to Hippocrates, who used a form of forceps in the fifth century B.C. The design of forceps has evolved over centuries. The modern form of the obstetrical forceps was invented by William Smellie in the 18th century.

See Also

• Surgical Instruments
• Medical Equipment
• Surgical Procedures

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