📊 Halsted Mosquito: 12.5cm, fine jaws, delicate vessels | Kelly Clamp: 14cm, heavier, larger vessels | Both available in straight and curved
Halsted Mosquito vs Kelly Clamp — Which Hemostatic Forceps to Choose?
Halsted mosquito forceps and Kelly clamps are the two most commonly confused hemostatic instruments in general surgery. Both are locking hemostatic forceps used to control bleeding by clamping blood vessels — but they differ in size, jaw width, and clinical application. Choosing the right one matters for operative efficiency and vessel safety.
Halsted Mosquito Forceps
The Halsted mosquito forceps (named after William Stewart Halsted) is a small, fine-jawed hemostatic clamp. Key specifications:
- Length: 12.5 cm (standard)
- Jaw width: 3–4 mm — very narrow
- Serrations: Fine horizontal serrations along the full jaw length
- Ring handles: Standard box-lock finger rings with ratchet locking mechanism
- Variants: Straight and curved
Best for: Clamping small, delicate blood vessels in superficial and subcutaneous tissue. Commonly used in pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, hand surgery, and any procedure requiring fine hemostasis in confined spaces.
Kelly Clamp
The Kelly clamp (named after Howard Atwood Kelly) is a larger, heavier hemostatic forceps. Key specifications:
- Length: 14 cm (standard), also available in 16 cm
- Jaw width: 5–7 mm — wider than mosquito
- Serrations: Horizontal serrations on the distal two-thirds of the jaw (not full length)
- Variants: Straight and curved
Best for: Clamping medium-sized vessels, fascia, and tissue bundles. Standard instrument in general surgery, gynecology, and abdominal procedures. Also used for blunt dissection.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Halsted Mosquito | Kelly Clamp |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 12.5 cm | 14–16 cm |
| Jaw width | 3–4 mm (fine) | 5–7 mm (wider) |
| Serrations | Full jaw length | Distal two-thirds only |
| Vessel size | Small, delicate | Medium |
| Primary use | Fine hemostasis, pediatrics | General surgery, gynecology |
| Blunt dissection | Not typically | Yes — common secondary use |
Quick Decision Guide
Use Halsted Mosquito when: working with small, superficial vessels; operating in confined spaces; performing pediatric or plastic procedures; needing precision in delicate tissue.
Use Kelly Clamp when: clamping medium-caliber vessels; working in abdominal or pelvic surgery; performing blunt dissection through fascial layers; need for a general-purpose hemostatic clamp.
Fizza Surgical — Halsted and Kelly Forceps
Fizza Surgical manufactures both Halsted mosquito forceps and Kelly clamps in 316L stainless steel, in straight and curved variants, ISO 13485 certified. Available individually or as part of general surgery and specialty sets.
- ISO 13485:2016 — International quality management certification
- CE marking under MDR 2017/745 — European conformity standard
- 316L stainless steel — Full material test certificates provided
- Manufacturing since 1980 in Sialkot, Pakistan
Contact Fizza Surgical to order Halsted mosquito forceps, Kelly clamps, or a full hemostatic forceps set. CE/ISO certified. DHL Express worldwide.
Where We Serve
Fizza Surgical exports to 50+ countries. Browse our country-specific pages with local regulatory guidance and pricing:
