A modified tissue forceps for use during umbilical laparoscopic entry and closure

A modification of the common tissue or thumb forceps facilitates initial transumbilical entry into the peritoneal cavity at the start of a laparoscopic procedure and at closure of that umbilical port. The modification consists of placement of teeth on the outside and inside of the forceps jaws. The instrument can be used to hold tissue and also as a spring retractor to hold open the umbilical crater. It is not now commercially available, but surgeons can obtain them from individual instrument makers.