What are hemostats primarily classified as?

Hemostats are primarily classified as forceps due to their design and function. They are specialized surgical instruments used to control bleeding by clamping blood vessels. The mechanism of hemostats allows them to be locked in place, effectively occluding a vessel and preventing blood flow during surgical procedures. This characteristic aligns with the general definition of forceps, which are instruments used to grasp, manipulate, or hold tissues or objects.

In contrast, scissors are primarily designed for cutting and do not possess the clamping mechanism that is essential for hemostats. Scalpels are cutting instruments that are used to make incisions in tissues, while needles serve a different function, primarily used for suturing or administering injections. The unique role of hemostats as vessels clamping instruments firmly places them in the category of forceps.