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Surgical Instruments

What is a Crile forceps? Uses, design and sizes

The Crile forceps is a hemostat with fully serrated jaws, used to clamp blood vessels. Its uses, design features, sizes and straight vs curved patterns.

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What is a Crile forceps?: Uses, design and sizes - Tata Surgical, Crile forceps and surgical instruments

A Crile forceps, also called a Crile hemostat or Crile artery forceps, is a surgical clamp used to hold blood vessels and tissue. Its main feature is fine, horizontal serrations along the full length of the jaws, which give a secure grip.

Design features

  • Fully serrated jaws: Horizontal (transverse) serrations along the whole jaw
  • Box lock joint: A strong joint that keeps the jaws aligned
  • Ratchet: Locks the forceps closed at several pressures, so it stays in place
  • Finger rings: For control and easy opening
  • Straight or curved jaws

Common sizes

Crile forceps are usually about 14 cm (5.5 inches) long, and longer versions around 16 cm (6.25 inches) are also made. Sizes vary slightly between makers, so check the catalogue.

What it is used for

  • Clamping small and medium blood vessels to stop bleeding
  • Holding tissue during dissection
  • Holding sutures or drapes
  • Grasping small structures in general surgery, gynaecology and other specialties

Where you will find it

The Crile forceps is part of almost every basic surgery set, minor surgery set and many specialty sets. It is also used in dental surgery and veterinary practice (see Crile forceps beyond the operating theatre: dental, veterinary and clinic use).

Crile or other hemostats?

Crile forceps look similar to Kelly and Mosquito forceps. The difference is in the serrations and size (see Crile vs Kelly vs Mosquito vs Rochester-Pean: how to tell them apart).

Crile forceps from Tata Surgical

We make Crile forceps in straight and curved patterns and several lengths, reusable or single-use. Request samples.

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