The term “medical tweezers” is commonly searched, but the correct professional name for these instruments in a clinical setting is forceps. Forceps are instruments designed to grasp, hold, or manipulate tissue and materials during medical procedures, acting as extensions of a surgeon’s fingers. The extensive variety of tasks in surgery has led to the development of hundreds of specialized forceps types, each engineered for a specific function. These instruments are generally categorized based on whether they include a locking feature or not.
The Proper Name: Understanding Forceps
The term used universally in biology and medicine is forceps, an instrument that often resembles a pair of tongs or pincers. This name is a direct borrowing from the Latin word forceps, which translates to “tongs” or “pincers.” (34 words)
In contrast to general-purpose tweezers, which are typically a single piece of metal joined at one end, forceps are precision tools crafted from high-grade stainless steel or specialized alloys. They operate on the mechanical principle of a lever to amplify the user’s grip, providing a level of control and stability that the human hand cannot replicate for fine manipulation. Surgical forceps are designed with specialized tips, serrations, or teeth to ensure a secure hold on delicate tissues without causing unnecessary trauma. (89 words)
Non-Locking Forceps: Instruments for Grasping and Manipulation
Non-locking forceps are the type that most closely resemble traditional tweezers, often referred to as “thumb forceps” or “pick-ups.” These instruments rely solely on the continuous spring tension of the metal and manual pressure applied by the user’s thumb and forefinger to maintain a grip. The primary function of these tools is the atraumatic handling of soft, delicate tissues, manipulating dressings, or guiding suture needles. (65 words)
Examples of Non-Locking Forceps
Specific examples illustrate the design variations within this group. DeBakey forceps, for instance, feature a delicate, non-toothed tip with fine parallel serrations designed for use in vascular surgery, where minimizing tissue trauma is paramount. Adson forceps are shorter instruments often equipped with a fine 1×2 tooth pattern at the tip, which provides a more secure hold on dense tissues like skin during closure. Since they lack a locking mechanism, non-locking forceps are best suited for temporary holding and precise, momentary manipulation. (86 words)
Locking Forceps: Tools for Clamping and Hemostasis
Locking forceps, also known as ring forceps or surgical clamps, feature a distinctive ring-handled design and a specialized mechanism called a ratchet. The ratchet is a set of interlocking teeth located near the handles that allows the instrument to be clamped shut and remain closed without continuous pressure from the user. This design is particularly useful when sustained, firm pressure is required for an extended period, freeing the surgeon’s hands for other tasks. (84 words)
The most common use for locking forceps is hemostasis, which is the process of stopping blood flow. When used for this purpose, they are specifically called hemostats, and they work by clamping blood vessels shut. Variations like Halsted mosquito forceps are small and delicate, used to clamp tiny vessels in confined spaces, while Kelly and Crile forceps are larger, designed for medium-sized vessels or tissues. The jaws of these instruments can be straight or curved, and they feature serrations that run either transversely or longitudinally along the gripping surface to provide a secure, sustained hold. (107 words)