Bone-holding forceps grip bone firmly so the surgeon can position it, hold fragments together, or keep a fracture reduced while it is fixed with plates, screws or wires. They are a core part of orthopaedic and trauma sets.
In short
Bone-holding forceps grip and position bone; reduction forceps hold fracture fragments together. Choose the jaw shape for the bone size and the lock type for how the forceps will be used.
Common bone-holding forceps#
| Pattern | Jaw | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Lane | Toothed, curved jaws | Holding long bones |
| Verbrugge | Curved jaws with a screw or ratchet lock | Holding bone and plates together |
| Kern | Toothed jaws, often with a ratchet | General bone holding |
| Lowman | Clamp-style with adjustable jaw | Holding bone and plates |
| Farabeuf | Serrated jaws | Holding smaller bones |
Pointed reduction forceps#
Pointed reduction forceps (often called Weber forceps) have two sharp points that grip the bone through small contact areas. They hold fracture fragments together with little soft-tissue disruption, which is valuable when fixing fractures. They come with ratchet or speed locks and in several sizes.
Locking mechanisms#
- Ratchet locks are quick to apply and release.
- Screw or speed locks allow fine adjustment of grip pressure.
- Self-centring designs help keep the forceps aligned on round bone.
Choosing the size#
Bone-holding forceps are sized to the bone: small patterns for hands, feet and small bones, larger patterns for long bones such as the femur and tibia. Trauma sets often include several sizes of the same pattern.
Quality checklist
- The jaws close symmetrically and the teeth or points meet correctly.
- The lock holds firmly under load and releases smoothly.
- The joint is solid with no play.
- The instrument is heavy enough to hold bone without flexing.
Frequently asked questions#
What is the difference between bone-holding and reduction forceps?#
Bone-holding forceps grip a bone to move or hold it. Reduction forceps are designed to bring fracture fragments together and keep them aligned.
Why do pointed reduction forceps have sharp points?#
The points grip the bone through small contact areas, so the forceps hold firmly while disturbing less soft tissue.
How should they be cleaned?#
Clean them open, brushing teeth, points and locks, and check that the lock still holds before sterilizing.
Order bone-holding forceps from Gami Surgical#
Gami Surgical manufactures bone-holding and reduction forceps and other orthopaedic instruments in Sialkot, Pakistan, and delivers worldwide. Send us your list for a quote.
