Kocher Forceps (Listed As Kocker)

Quick Answer: Kocher forceps, listed here as ‘Kocker’, are artery forceps with serrated jaws and interlocking teeth at the tip, closed by a ratchet. They grip tough tissue firmly and are taught in surgical skills and instrument identification.

Kocher Forceps and the Toothed Tip

The listing title ‘Kocker’ is a spelling variant of Kocher, after the Swiss surgeon Theodor Kocher. The instrument looks like ordinary artery forceps, with finger rings, a box joint and a ratchet, but the jaws end in interlocking teeth, usually one tooth on one jaw fitting between two on the other. The listing image file name refers to straight artery forceps.

Those teeth are the point of the design. They stop tough tissue such as fascia or the edge of a tendon sheath from slipping out of the jaws. The same teeth make the instrument unsuitable for delicate tissue or small vessels, where plain serrated artery forceps (such as Spencer Wells) are used instead.

In teaching, the instrument appears in identification tests and in skills practice on tissue models, where students compare toothed and non-toothed grips.

Specifications

Item	Kocher (toothed) artery forceps
Listed as	Kocker
Jaws	Transverse serrations with interlocking teeth at the tip
Lock	Ratchet between the finger rings
Straight or curved, and length	Confirm at enquiry

Applications

Instrument identification practicals in medical, nursing and OT technician courses
Grasping tough tissue on skin pads or tissue models in surgical skills sessions
Comparing toothed and non-toothed forceps when teaching tissue handling
Holding the edge of thick specimen tissue during demonstration dissections

Care & Handling

Clean the forceps with the ratchet open, brushing the serrations and teeth where tissue lodges.
Sterilise as required, dry thoroughly and store unlocked or on the first ratchet tooth.
Check that the teeth still meet properly; misaligned teeth tear tissue and indicate a sprung joint.

Why Choose LabEquip

Kocher forceps are ordered by medical and nursing colleges building instrument trays for skills teaching, usually with a needle holder and scissors. LabEquip lists them in the Biology Lab Products range; say whether you need straight or curved when writing through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kocker the same as Kocher?

Yes. Kocker is a spelling variant of Kocher, named after the surgeon Theodor Kocher. The instrument is a toothed artery forceps with a ratchet.

How do they differ from Spencer Wells artery forceps?

Both have ratchets and serrated jaws, but Kocher forceps also have interlocking teeth at the tip. The teeth give a firm grip on tough tissue, while Spencer Wells forceps are used on vessels and delicate tissue.

Can toothed forceps be used on blood vessels?

They are not the right choice for fine vessels, because the teeth can damage the vessel wall. Non-toothed artery forceps are used for clamping vessels.

Should I choose straight or curved?

Straight forceps are common for grasping and holding tissue edges. Curved ones reach around structures more easily. Teaching sets often include one of each.

How should the ratchet be used?

Close only as far as needed to hold the tissue, usually the first or second tooth. Release by pressing the rings slightly together and separating them sideways.

How do I care for the ratchet and box joint?

Clean them with a brush while the instrument is open, dry fully, and apply instrument lubricant occasionally. Store unlocked to avoid weakening the ratchet.

Last Updated: September 2026