Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 12, 2026

Bulldog forceps

A bulldog forceps, clamp or serrefine is a type of forceps which is used in surgery. It has serrated jaws and a spring action so that it will grip and hold sutures, tissues or vessels. The spring may be weak or the jaws sheathed in a soft material so that the item being gripped is not crushed too severely.

Last revised
Jun 12, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
103 w
Citations
2
Source
Bulldogs forceps source ↗

A bulldog forceps, clamp or serrefine is a type of forceps which is used in surgery. It has serrated jaws and a spring action so that it will grip and hold sutures, tissues or vessels. The spring may be weak or the jaws sheathed in a soft material so that the item being gripped is not crushed too severely.

Forceps of this general type were designed by particular surgeons including Johann Dieffenbach and Robert Liston.12

References

References

  1. Sonsthagen, Teresa (2013), Veterinary Instruments and Equipment: A Pocket Guide, Elsevier, p. 663, ISBN 9780323263139
  2. Liston-type artery forceps, London, England, 1831-1870, Science Museum