hemostats

Hemostats are surgical instruments used to control bleeding by occluding blood vessels or grasping tissue. They are locking forceps with ratcheted handles that permit the operator to apply and maintain pressure without continuous hand force. The jaws may be straight or curved, and the tips are usually serrated to provide a secure grip on vessels or tissue while minimizing slippage.

Several standard varieties are encountered in modern operating rooms. Mosquito hemostats are small and fine for delicate vessels. Crile and Kelly hemostats are medium to large, with straight or curved jaws for general use. Rochester-Pean clamps are longer and more robust, typically used for large vessels or broader tissue bundles. Selection depends on vessel size, access, and the required balance between atraumatic holding and clamping force.

Most hemostats are made of stainless steel and are designed for repeated sterilization. They include a ratcheted locking mechanism to hold them in place. They can be straight or curved to suit different surgical fields. They should be used to occlude vessels temporarily or to assist in placing ligatures; prolonged locking should be avoided to prevent ischemic damage to surrounding tissue.

Care and handling emphasize cleaning, sterilization, and inspection for damage such as nicks, corrosion, or bent tips. Proper size selection, gentle use to avoid tissue crush, and timely removal after hemostasis are essential to reduce postoperative complications.