Combination forceps fuse both safety and efficiency.

BACKGROUND: Instrumentation prevents needle stick injury. OBJECTIVE: To review forceps that insure safety and facilitate tissue-handling and knot-tying efficiency. METHOD: Medical literature reports were reviewed using Ovid. Commercially available instruments were qualitatively tested. RESULTS: Suture platforms securely hold suture needles and can be used during knot tying. A wide range of combination forceps have been invented and can be broadly categorized as either skin hook or toothed combination forceps. CONCLUSIONS: Combination forceps fuse both efficiency and safety. Skin hook forceps may eventually be the optimal combination instrument, but toothed combination forceps are recommended.