title: Combination forceps fuse both safety and efficiency.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Instrumentation prevents needle stick injury.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review forceps that insure safety and facilitate tissue-handling and knot-tying efficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas 52206, USA.
authors.forename: Lance B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: Donna M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Pellowski
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*