Pennington Forceps — Precision Tissue Grasping for Surgery & Professional Piercing

The Pennington forcep is the instrument surgical teams and professional piercers reach for when control matters most. Named after Australian microsurgeon David Geoffrey Pennington, this triangular-jaw surgical instrument has been a theatre standard for decades and the go-to tool in professional piercing studios worldwide.

Also known as the Pennington clamp or Duval forceps in thoracic contexts, this instrument solves one problem no standard hemostat handles cleanly: securing delicate tissue firmly, atraumatically, and hands-free — without obstructing the operative field.

Engineered for the Sterile Field

Every Pennington forcep in this range is forged from 316L German surgical stainless steel. No chrome plating. No peeling risk. The hand matte polish eliminates glare under OR lighting while reducing surface micro-porosity for a longer instrument life.

The triangular fenestrated jaw distributes clamping pressure evenly across the tissue surface. Internal horizontal serrations hold tissue securely without tearing. The precision boxlock joint delivers smooth open-and-close mechanics across thousands of sterilization cycles. The three-position ratchet lock holds tension hands-free — freeing both hands for suturing, dissection, or needle placement.

Fully autoclavable. CE marked. ISO 9001 certified. Lifetime warranty against rust and manufacturing defects.

Slotted or Non-Slotted — Choose the Right Jaw

Slotted Pennington forceps feature an open triangular slot 4mm wide on the standard 6-inch model, clearing needles cleanly up to 8 gauge. This is the standard choice for professional body piercing and for rectal, urinary, and wound dressing procedures. The slot allows the instrument to slide off the needle sideways after placement no thread shortening, no realignment.

The non-slotted closed-jaw variant is built for organ manipulation, sustained tissue retraction, and heavy surgical grasping in OB/GYN, abdominal, and thoracic procedures.

Where This Pennington forcep Instrument Works

Pennington forceps uses span multiple surgical specialties. In OB/GYN surgery, it grasps uterine tissue during cesarean section and hysterectomy. In colorectal and hemorrhoidal procedures, it clamps rectal tissue at the base for clean excision. General surgeons rely on it during appendectomies, hernia repairs, and bowel resections. Plastic surgeons use the atraumatic jaw for skin flap and soft tissue graft handling. In thoracic surgery where it is called the Duval clamp — it grasps lung parenchyma without crush injury.

For Pennington piercing applications, the slotted jaw stabilises skin, aligns the needle path, and exits cleanly after needle passage. Standard across navel, nipple, tongue, eyebrow, lip, and surface piercings.

Available in Five Sizes

From the mini 152mm slotted variant for precision facial piercing to the extended 8.5-inch non-slotted model for deep abdominal access every Pennington forcep is available in slotted and non-slotted configurations with full CE documentation included.

Bulk orders, OEM packaging, and white-label options are available from MOQ 50 units, with sterilization compliance data and batch traceability documentation for hospital and distributor procurement.

Request a sample or bulk quote — CE and ISO certified, ships worldwide.

FAQs

What are Pennington Forceps used for?

Pennington forceps grasp and hold tissue during surgery and professional body piercing. Surgically, they are used in OB/GYN, colorectal, hemorrhoidal, abdominal, and plastic surgery procedures. The slotted variant is the standard tool for body piercing it stabilises skin, guides the needle through its open slot, and slides off cleanly after needle passage.

What is the difference between Duval and Pennington forceps?

There is no structural difference. The Duval clamp and Pennington forcep are the same instrument. “Pennington” is the standard name in general, colorectal, and OB/GYN surgery. “Duval” is used in thoracic surgery when the same instrument grasps lung tissue. The name changes with the specialty the instrument does not.

What are the two types of forceps?

Surgical forceps come in two types: thumb forceps (non-locking, spring-hinged) and ring forceps (ratcheted, locking). Thumb forceps close on manual pressure and release when relaxed. Ring forceps lock in position and hold tissue hands-free. The Pennington forcep is a ring forcep specifically an atraumatic tissue grasper.

What is the other name for Babcock forceps?

Babcock forceps are also called Babcock intestinal forceps or Babcock tissue forceps. Like the Pennington, they have a triangular fenestrated jaw but the Babcock jaw is curved, making it gentler on tubular structures like bowel and fallopian tubes. The Pennington jaw is straight, giving it better access in rectal and pelvic procedures.

What is the real name for rat tooth forceps?

The official name is toothed dissecting forceps or tissue forceps with teeth. The Adson pattern is formally called Adson Tissue Forceps (1×2 teeth). Unlike the Pennington forcep which grips tissue atraumatically rat tooth forceps use interlocking teeth for a stronger hold on dense tissue. They are non-locking thumb forceps.