Dear Editor,
There are many methods for achieving primary haemostasis in the tonsillar fossa after tonsillectomy. A common method is that of ligating the bleeding vessel using Negus artery forceps and Negus ligature carrier. In this method after the ligature is tied around the Negus artery forceps the free ends of the ligature are wrapped around the fingers of both the hands. The knot is then pushed down into the tonsillar fossa using a Negus ligature carrier. This requires considerable practice and juggling movements of the hands since both the hands are occupied in holding the free ends of the ligature.
To overcome the problem of holding the free ends of the ligature, a ligature holding forceps has been devised and used successfully at our hospital.
The forceps consists of two straight artery forceps joined together by a cross linkage, one set of finger loops of the forceps are welded together to provide additional stability (Fig-1). The free ends of the knot which is tied around the Negus artery forceps is held by this ligature forceps instead of the fingers of both hands. The ligature forceps is held in one's hand while the other hand is free to hold the Negus ligature carrier and push the knot down into the tonsillar fossa for achieving haemostasis.
Fig. 1.
Mehtas ligature forceps for tonsillectomy