What are Artery Forceps? How to Use Artery Forceps? (A Quick Guide)

During complex medical procedures, the practitioners need to compress the arteries to stop bleeding. Artery Forceps are specialized medical hemostats designed to clamp the arteries. By using artery forceps, you can reach a state known as Hemostasis, which means the bleeding will stop. There are different artery forceps which can be used in different surgeries. Grey Medical is a certified supplier of top-quality hemostats and artery forceps. 

This guide will feature the different types of artery forceps, their usage, and an explanation of how to use artery forceps. Read on to explore!

Getting to Know Artery Forceps

Artery Forceps are every surgeon’s go-to medical tool in the surgical field. These are specifically curated to assist the practitioner in reaching a state of hemostasis. These medical tools are equipped with a locking mechanism which allows the surgeons to free up their hands during the procedure. Mostly, the artery forceps are made with serrated jaws. This allows firm grip and occlusion of the blood vessels without any need for active manipulation. When artery forceps are clutching the blood vessel, the teeth on both sides interlock, leading to hemostasis. This instrument has a loopy handle which makes it easier to manipulate. 

General Classification of Artery Forceps and Hemostats

Depending upon the specific need of the surgical site, there are different artery forceps. These artery forceps differ in their size and mode of action:

Carmalt Hemostat

These hemostats work best for clamping larger blood vessels and arteries. They are strongly built and are comparatively heavier than other types. They have wide groovy jaws to provide a powerful grip. The surgeons don’t need to actively manipulate the artery as they are highly impactful. 

Kelly Forceps

Kelly Forceps are available in different sizes. Its smallest version is known as Mosquito Forceps/Halsted Clamps. They are used to occlude tiny blood vessels and can reach the tightest regions due to their small size. Overall, they are general-purpose and can be used in delicate work. 

Crile Forceps

Often before cauterization, there is a need to clamp the blood vessels. Crile forceps are extensively used during those procedures. They have serrated jaws which don’t harm the nearby tissue with their toothed functionality. 

Depending upon the functionalities, artery forceps have the following types: 

Bulldog Clamps

Widely known as vascular hemostats, Bulldog clamps are extensively used by practitioners in all types of surgeries. They are designed with a toothed, serrated jaw which allows seamless gripping of vessels. Additionally, they can also be used to hold the sutures in place when the surgeon is busy manipulating the surgical region. Due to their toothed action, they are minimally invasive. It makes the surgical intervention successful with its precise action. They are mostly employed during delicate surgeries where care is needed. 

Dissecting and Ligature Forceps

These forceps feature a slightly angled curve to assist the practitioner in reaching tight regions of the body. They are made with a tapered jaw which works best for bluntly dissecting the organs or moving the arteries. These forceps feature a tiny hole in the jaw which allows the ligature to pass through it. This allows the surgeons to tie the ligature during surgery. 

Kidney Pedicle and Gall Duct Forceps

Kidney Pedicle and Gall Duct Forceps are commonly employed to occlude the blood vessels and arteries during kidney and gall bladder surgeries. They also serve to dissect the regions bluntly. These forceps have curved jaws and feature lengthwise serrations and teeth. They are atraumatic and do not harm the nearby tissues. The tip of the surgical instrument is curved which makes it easy to navigate and dissect the tissues. The handle is ratcheted which allows the tools to lock the vessel. 

Clamp Forceps

Clamps are interlocking forceps used for reaching hemostasis. They work on tubular vessels to compress the passageway which then stops the blood flow. They are available in different sizes and jaw styles. From curved, angular to straight jaws, the practitioners can pick any clamp forceps of their choice. In addition to compressing, these are also used to manipulate the tissues or hold any organ during surgery. 

Hysterectomy Forceps

These are specialized medical tools used during surgeries related to the uterus. It is used to hold the uterus in place when needed. During the procedure, the practitioners need to grasp the adnexal tissues before finally dissecting the uterus. Hysterectomy clamps come in handy with their atraumatic action. These clamps are available in different clamp patterns to minimize the trauma inflicted on the nearby tissues. 

Parametrium Forceps

Parametrium tissues are the outer layer of connective tissues around the uterus. However, parametrium forceps are employed during surgeries on the reproductive parts of both males and females, such as prostatectomy, hysterectomy, etc. They can reach deep bodily parts and tissues to hold up the vessels. This allows the safety of the patient as they would not lose blood during the procedure. 

Lung Grasping Forceps

Lung grasping forceps are used to grasp and hold weighty organs, such as lungs during thoracic surgeries. They are often employed during thoracotomy to detach abnormal swells on the surface of the lungs. While operating the lesions might bleed causing infectious spread. To avoid such a happening, lung grasping clamps occlude the abnormal growth before detaching them from the body of the lung. 

Vascular Clamps

Vascular clamps are highly specific in their mode of action. They are general purpose but are available in various types and shapes to assist different types of surgeries. Clamps temporarily clutch the blood vessels to stop bleeding during the manipulation. Usually, they are atraumatic and keep the surgical site clear from any infection. 

How to Use Artery Forceps? (A Quick Guide)

All the different types of artery forceps are designed with an easy-to-manipulate scissor-like loopy handle. These handles when held allow the medics to keep their fingers in the loops. As the artery forceps have a locking mechanism, they can be left on the surgical site in case the patient is bleeding profusely. Usually, they have a lean, atraumatic nose. When the surgeon navigates the artery forceps close to the surgical site, they clutch the handles together. This clutching action interlocks the handle teeth, holding the blood vessel. When the medic wants to open the forceps, they just slightly unlock the serrated jaws by pressing on the handles. 

FAQs

Q1: How long can a surgeon leave a vessel clamped?

Usually, the clutching depends upon the extent of bleeding. Vascular clamps can damage the arteries but the blood-stopping mechanism is needed. If a surgeon leaves the clamps for more than 30 minutes, the damage can be considerably more than for a shorter duration of time.

Q2: Can artery clamps harm the blood vessels?

Most artery clamps are atraumtic and do not damage the nearby tissues. However, the main purpose of an artery clamp is to obstruct the flow of blood. There might be a little damage to the vessel but the action is worth the effort as it saves lives. 

High-Grade Artery Forceps and Clamps at Grey Medical For Seamless Surgical Manipulation

Grey Medical offers an extensive assortment of artery forceps and clamps in their different sizes and shapes. These artery clamps are manufactured by using top-quality stainless steel and high-grade aluminium. We are dedicated to keeping the standard up high with our top-notch craftsmanship and skills. To facilitate our customers, we have online support available 24/7. 

If you are looking for modern artery forceps and clamps, contact us now!