Tissue forceps: when to use toothed and when to use non-toothed

Dissecting and tissue forceps are the instruments surgeons pick up most often, and the choice between toothed and non-toothed jaws affects how much tissue is damaged with every grip.

Toothed forceps

Toothed forceps have one or more small interlocking teeth at the tip — often described as 1×2 teeth (one tooth on one jaw, two on the other). The teeth let the forceps hold tough tissue such as skin or fascia securely with less closing pressure, which causes less crushing than squeezing hard with smooth jaws.

• Adson toothed — short and fine, the standard choice for skin closure.
• Gillies — long, slim handles with a fine 1×2 tip, widely used in plastic surgery.
• Lane’s — heavier toothed forceps for dense tissue.

Non-toothed (dissecting) forceps

Non-toothed forceps have serrated or cross-hatched jaws without teeth. They are used for delicate tissue, vessels and bowel, and for handling dressings and swabs.

• DeBakey — atraumatic, with fine longitudinal grooves; the usual choice for vessels and bowel.
• Adson plain — fine serrated tips for delicate superficial work.
• McIndoe — longer, fine dissecting forceps common in general and plastic surgery.

Choosing the length and tip

As with scissors, match the length to the depth of the field. Fine tips give precision but are easier to damage, so check them closely during inspection: misaligned teeth or bent tips should be repaired or replaced before they tear tissue.

Quick guide

Browse our forceps range, or send us your tray list and we will match each pattern.