Forceps are handheld, hinged instruments used for grasping and holding objects. The term "forceps" is almost exclusively used in the medical field. Dissecting forceps have two arms with jaws at the front and a spring joint at the back, they typically are symmetrical, and they can be used either right-handed or left-handed. When gripping dissecting forceps, a person's index and middle finger should be placed on the top arm, and the thumb should be placed on bottom arm. An increase in pressure by the thumb and fingers will press the arms together to take hold of an object.
Dissecting forceps are comparable to tweezers in style but allow one to easily and quickly grab ahold of small objects or tissue to transport and release or to hold tissue in place with different amounts of pressure. Despite the name, dissecting forceps are hardly ever used for dissecting. They are an extension of a surgeon's grip and are used for convenience in holding tissue, sutures and needles. They are often used to hold tissue in place when applying sutures, to move tissues out of the way during surgery or to move or remove dressings without using the hands or fingers.
This surgical instrument falls under the category of thumb forceps or non-locking forceps. There are also a variety of forceps that fall into the category of locking forceps. These types of forceps are hinged in the middle and often appear scissor-like, with two finger loops used for gripping with a finger and thumb. They are usually used as clamps, and the lock is controlled by the fingers. Although there are many kinds of locking forceps, Kelly forceps are an example of locking forceps that are commonly used as a surgical instrument.
Dissecting forceps can come in a variety of styles and sizes. For instance, the narrower the ridges are between the jaws of the dissecting forceps, the more delicate the tissue the forceps will hold without doing any damage to the tissue or object. Similarly, if the jaws are spread further apart, they are usually meant to pick up heavier tissues.
Sometimes the arms are toothed, to better grasp different tissues, because these teeth and ridges help cause less damage to tissue by decreasing the amount of overall pressure needed to grip an object. Longer or shorter arms can be used, depending on how deep the operating site is. The exterior of the arms also usually displays a patterned grip that allows for more precise use and more comfort.
