Hemostatic Forceps: Mosquito, Kelly, Crile, Rochester-Pean and Kocher
Instrument guides
Hemostatic Forceps: Mosquito, Kelly, Crile, Rochester-Pean and Kocher
How mosquito, Kelly, Crile, Pean and Kocher hemostats differ by jaw size and serration, and where Allis, Babcock and towel clamps fit.
A hemostat clamps a bleeding vessel and locks closed with a ratchet. The patterns differ in size and serration. The Halsted mosquito is the smallest, for fine vessels in plastic surgery. The Kelly has serrations on the tip half of its jaws and the Crile along the full jaw. The Rochester-Pean is larger, for heavier tissue. Kocher and Ochsner forceps add 1x2 teeth at the tip to hold tough tissue. Allis and Babcock forceps grasp tissue, and towel clamps hold drapes.
Where does the hemostat come from?
The French surgeon Jules-Émile Péan is credited with forceps that could stay clamped on an artery, with a toothed lock in the handle, as described in the history of the hemostat. The Wellcome Collection holds an image of Péan's invention. Other surgeons' names followed as the jaws were refined, among them Halsted, Kelly, Crile, Kocher and Ochsner. The ratchet Péan used is the same one that holds a needle holder closed today.
Which hemostats do we make?
| Pattern | Jaw | Our lengths | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halsted mosquito | Fine, fully serrated | 12.5 cm, curved or straight | Fine vessels |
| Halsted micro mosquito, Hartman, Jacobson Koshima | Very fine | 10 to 12.5 cm | Microsurgery and very small vessels |
| Kelly | Serrated on the tip half | 14 or 16 cm | Medium vessels |
| Crile | Serrated full length | 14 or 16 cm | Medium vessels, firmer hold |
| Rochester-Pean | Large, serrated | 14 to 26 cm | Heavy tissue and pedicles |
| Kocher, Ochsner | Serrated with 1x2 teeth | 14 to 26 cm | Tough tissue that must not slip |
| Allis, Babcock | Grasping | 16 to 23 cm | Holding tissue, not clamping vessels |
| Backhaus, ball and socket, non perforating | Towel clamps | 9 to 15 cm | Holding drapes |
| Foerster, Rampley | Sponge holders | 18 to 24 cm | Holding swabs |
How do you choose a hemostat?
Use the smallest hemostat that holds the vessel, because larger jaws crush more tissue. In plastic surgery the mosquito does most of the work. Curved jaws let you see the tip and place a tie under it. Straight jaws suit sutures and the surface. Keep toothed Kocher and Ochsner forceps away from vessels you want to keep: the teeth will damage them.
How should hemostats be cleaned?
Open the ratchet and brush the box joint and serrations. Close the forceps on the first tooth to check that the jaws meet from tip to heel. Never leave instruments in saline, because it causes corrosion. Our instrument care guide gives the full routine, and the CDC guidance on cleaning instruments before sterilization explains why cleaning comes before the autoclave.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Kelly and a Crile?
Both are medium hemostats. The Kelly is serrated on the tip half of the jaw, the Crile along the full jaw.
What is a mosquito forceps used for?
Clamping fine vessels. It is the smallest standard hemostat and the most used in plastic surgery.
Is a Kocher the same as an Ochsner?
Both have 1x2 teeth at the tip. The names are often used for the same pattern. We list the Ochsner in more lengths.
Should hemostats be sterilized locked?
No. Sterilize them open or on the first ratchet tooth, so steam reaches the joint and the ratchet is not stressed.
Related instrument guides
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