What are tissue & dressing forceps?

Non-locking forceps used to hold, retract and present tissue during surgery. The working choice is between toothed and serrated tips. Teeth grip securely with minimal pressure and are correct for skin and dense connective tissue, because a firm hold from small teeth crushes less than a hard squeeze on a flat serrated jaw. Serrated tips are for delicate mucosa, dressings and anything you do not want perforated.

How the tissue & dressing forceps range is organised

Toothed, fine:

Adson 1x2 teeth 4.75", Adson Brown 7x7 teeth, Semken 1x2 teeth at 5" and 6", thumb tissue 1x2 teeth.

Serrated, fine:

Adson serrated 4.75", micro Adson 0.5mm serrated jaws, Semken serrated at 5" and 6", thumb forceps serrated 4.5", 5" and extra-delicate 6".

Grasping and holding:

Allis 4x5 teeth, Allis 4x5 at 90°, Allis 5x6 teeth.

Sponge and dressing:

Foerster sponge forceps with serrated jaw at 7" and 9.5".

Fine points:

Fine curved #7 4.5", narrow fine #3 4.75", super fine #5 4.75", splinter forceps straight and double-curved.

Choosing the right tissue & dressing forcep

Adson patterns are the default for flap work — short enough for intraoral control, fine enough not to mark a flap edge. Step up to Adson Brown 7x7 when you need to distribute grip across a wider span of tissue without more force. Allis forceps hold firmly and will leave a mark, so they belong on tissue you are removing, not tissue you are closing over. Foerster sponge forceps are for swabbing and prep, not tissue.