A hemostat (also called a hemostatic clamp, arterial forceps, or pean after Jules-Émile Péan) is a surgical tool used in many surgical procedures to control bleeding. [1] For this reason, it is common in the initial phases of surgery for the initial incision to be lined with hemostats which close blood vessels awaiting ligation.

Hemostats have three functions in surgery. Typically, hemostats are used for clamping blood vessels to control bleeding. They are also commonly used to grasp and secure tissue and superficial fascia during a surgical procedure. Thirdly, they are excellent tools for exposing, exploring, and visualizing the deeper areas of a surgical site.