Hemostatic Forceps: Halstead Mosquito, Kelly, Kocher and Pean Explained
Hemostatic forceps, also called artery forceps or haemostats, clamp blood vessels to control bleeding. They are in every surgical set. The Kotina catalog includes Halstead Mosquito, Kelly, Kocher (Kochar), Pean and related patterns in straight and curved versions, in several lengths.
Main types and differences Halstead Mosquito: small and delicate (about 10 to 12.5 cm) with fine tips for small vessels and delicate tissue; used in plastic, paediatric and hand surgery. Kelly: medium jaw with serrations on the front half only; used for clamping larger vessels and blunt dissection. Pean (Rochester-Pean): longer, fully serrated jaws for larger vessels and tissue. Kocher: heavy, with 1x2 teeth at the tip, used to grip tough tissue and fascia, not for delicate vessels.
Uses in surgery Clamping bleeding vessels before ligation or cautery; holding tissue; grasping sutures and drain tubes; blunt dissection; holding swabs. Curved versions give better visibility around the tip; straight versions are used for superficial work.
Why they matter Controlling bleeding quickly keeps the field clear and reduces blood loss, directly affecting patient safety and operating time.
Quality points to check The box-lock must move smoothly without play; ratchet teeth must engage firmly and hold under load without slipping or releasing on their own; jaw serrations must align perfectly with no light visible between the tips when closed; handles free from burrs; finish uniform. A ratchet that slips is a safety failure and the instrument must be withdrawn.
Care, cleaning and sterilization (IFU summary) Always follow the Instructions For Use (IFU) supplied with the instrument and your hospital's sterile-processing protocol. In general: rinse off blood and tissue promptly, never let them dry; open all box-locks and ratchets; clean with a neutral or enzymatic detergent and a soft brush (no steel wool or chlorine bleach); rinse with demineralized water; dry completely; lubricate hinges with an instrument-grade milk; then sterilize by a validated steam (autoclave) cycle. Inspect before every use and remove any instrument that is bent, cracked, stained, or has misaligned tips.
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