Chapter 3: Table of contents
Tissue Forceps:
Various sizes and shapes of tissue forceps have been developed to enable handling of tissues during surgery. These are generally traumatic instruments and should never be applied to the skin or organs that are meant to remain functional (an exception is the Doyen clamp).
Allis:
Allis tissue forceps have a varying number of teeth on their gripping surface and are available in various sizes. These forceps are extremely traumatic and should only be applied to fascial planes or connective tissue (if applied to any tissues at all).
Babcock:
These forceps are less traumatic than Allis tissue forceps because of their fine longitudinal striations along the gripping surface of the jaws. Although designed to handle the intestines, it is not recommended for this use.
Doyen:
Doyen forceps are characteristic because of their long, thin and bowed jaws covered with fine (generally) longitudinal serrations along the entire length of the gripping surface. They are available in lengths ranging from 6.5 to 9 inches as curved or straight instruments. These forceps are used for gastric and intestinal surgery. Their gentle, atraumatic grip is achieved by having only the tips of the jaws meet when the first teeth of the ratchet are engage (because of their bowed shape).
Mixter:
Mixter forceps have a blunted tip and transversely serrated jaws that are bent at various angles (e.g. 45 to 90 degree angle). These forceps are used to dissect vessels or for blunt dissection in areas that are relatively hard to reach. These instruments are particularly important in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery and are also used for gall bladder and biliary duct surgery.