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Among the broad and intricate world of surgical instruments, perhaps there exists no instrument more functionally and historically relevant than curved artery forceps. Praised for their dexterity, versatility, and irreplaceable use in hemostasis, curved artery forceps—less dubiously labeled "hemostats" by some—have become an inherent part of both modern as well as traditional surgery.
Curved artery forceps are meticulously designed with the following significant components:
• Blades (Jaws):
The working end with serration or tooth for firm hold.
Specially designed to exert even pressure along the tissue or vessel.
• Curvature:
Shallow to deep curve angles.
Eases easier passage through narrowing or deep anatomical spaces.
• Box Joint (Pivot Point):
Provides smooth articulation and equal pressure transmission.
Improves release control and clamping control.
• Ratcheted Lock (Catch Lock):
Assists in preventing forceps opening when clamping and always requires hand pressure.
Typically, 2–4 steps of interlocking.
• Handles:
Ergonomic, appropriate length for precise transmission of force.
Typically made from finger rings to offer grip.
Curved artery forceps possess hemostasis as their primary function—preventing bleeding during surgery. They function on:
• Prevention of hemorrhage by clamping vessels.
• Vessel occlusion for ligation by suturing or cauterization.
• Transient freemost occlusion without crushing tissue.
• Catching or foreign body of tissue during dissection.
There are a variety of curved artery forceps, each having a specific procedure to which it is suited:
Of middle size.
Half-jaw serrated.
Like Kelly, but serrated on the entire jaw.
Used in vascular surgery.
Large jaws with full serration.
Used in orthopedic surgery, abdominal.
Small.
Perfect for clamping small vessels when dealing with sensitive tissue (e.g., pediatrics, neurosurgery).
Tooth at the tip.
Grasp firm, slippery tissue (e.g., muscle, fascia).
Curved artery forceps are the first choice of instrument in most operations:
• General Surgery:
Control incision and excision bleeding.
Ligate vessels before suturing.
• Gynecology:
Used during uterine and pelvic surgery.
Clamp the uterine artery or umbilical cord.
• Orthopedic Surgery:
Facilitate exposure and vessel control in bone surgery.
• ENT (Otorhinolaryngology):
Undercutting small anatomical tubes in nasal or throat surgery.
• Neurosurgery:
Delicate control of vessels in intracranial surgery.
• Cardiothoracic Surgery:
Closing of critical significance in open-heart and bypass surgery.
• Emergency Trauma:
Quiet hemorrhage control in traumatic settings.
Frequently used in pre-hospital care or field surgery.
• Improved visibility: Curve is out of the way.
• Accuracy in deep cavities: Best suited for clamping in confined areas.
• Protection of tissue: Soft, firm grip avoids vascular damage.
• Ergonomic grip: Less fatigue to the hands for long surgery.
• Multi-planar access: Horizontal and vertical access to vessels is provided.
To effectively use curved artery forceps in a surgical procedure, surgeons perform the following steps:
• Step 1: Identification
Identify the tissue or vessel to be clamped that is bleeding.
•Step 2: Alignment
Align the curved jaw to enter in the best direction to access the vessel.
• Step 3: Clamping
Push by closing handles until they ratchet lock.
• Step 4: Securing
Position the instrument in a secure position and do not traumatize the vessel.
• Step 5: Ligature or Cautery
Hold a ligature around the vessel or cauterize, as needed.
• Step 6: Release
Release the ratchet and slowly withdraw the forceps.
Most frequently used because of corrosion resistance, strength, and sterilizability.
Surgical-grade materials like 316L utilized.
Light weight, non-magnetic, biocompatible.
Used for sensitive surgeries.
Typically inserted into jaw tips to provide better grip and wear resistance.
Rinse at once in warm water after surgery. Clean with enzymatic cleaners to emulsify blood and proteins.
High-level chemical immersion disinfection in the absence of autoclave.
Routine autoclave (under-pressure steam 121–134°C).
Gas sterilization (ethylene oxide) for sensitive materials.
Daily inspection for stiffness of joints, ratchet misalignment, and pitting of the surface.
Lubricate surgical-grade joints.
It can cause tissue necrosis or crush injury.
Use the minimum force required.
Causes poor access or vessel slippage.
Align jaws in line with vessel path.
Double-check post-op.
Always check for removal on closure.
Replace instruments with a worn-out gripping surface.
Practice clamping skill using cadaveric labs or plastic models.
Observe master hand placement and clapping rhythms.
Practice on soft tissue to gain a feel for pressure tolerance.
As technology advances, curved artery forceps are being redesigned afresh:
Integrated pressure sensors for immediate feedback.
Use clamping along with cauterization.
Prevent tissue adhesion in coagulation.
Different surgical specialties utilize specially modified curved artery forceps to meet their needs:
Long-shafted for keyhole surgery.
Very thin jaws for reconstructive microsurgery.
Articulated, curved forceps as robotic arm attachments.
Basic models of stainless steel: $10–$50.
Advanced models of tungsten carbide or titanium: $100+.
Widely used in humanitarian surgical kits.
Low-resource field hospitals are WHO-approved.
As the science of surgery continues to evolve, future curved artery forceps will remain at the forefront with these advances:
• Increased bio integration with low levels of inflammation.
• Machine learning-crafted grasp during robot-assisted surgery.
• Low-friction trauma material science.
• Combinatorial cutting, clamping, and sealing devices.
The curved artery forceps are truly a symbol of mechanical elegance and clinical necessity. From their medieval battlefield origins to modern robot-assisted surgery, their history follows man's quest to surgical dominance. Mastery and understanding of curved artery forceps' application by every surgeon is more than a technique—it is a ritual of mastery of life's most important flow.
Written by: Beauty Teck
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