Tilley Forceps — Pattern and Clinical Use
The bayonet shape is the defining feature: the double bend offsets the handle from the jaws so the surgeon’s hand does not block the view down the nose under a headlight. The serrated flat jaws grip ribbon gauze, packing material and small foreign bodies securely, making these the standard instrument for nasal packing in both theatre and the emergency department.
Jaw serrations must grip gauze without cutting or fraying it, and the bayonet offset must be consistent — an inconsistent bend means the operator’s hand still ends up in the sightline, which defeats the pattern’s entire purpose.
Tilley Forceps Variants and Specifications
Standard Tilley patterns.
| Variant | Specification / use |
|---|---|
| Standard bayonet, 18 cm | General nasal packing |
| Long, 20–23 cm | Deeper nasal and postnasal access |
| Fine jaw | Delicate handling and small objects |
| Serrated flat jaw | Grips ribbon gauze securely |
| Non-serrated jaw | Atraumatic mucosal handling |
| Satin finish | Reduces headlight glare |
Material, Finish and Quality Control
We forge Tilley forceps from 316L austenitic stainless. The bayonet offset is gauged for consistency and jaw serrations checked to grip gauze without fraying it. Each batch passes Rockwell hardness testing, dimensional checks on bayonet offset consistency, and visual inspection under our ISO 13485 system before passivation and final finishing. Mirror and satin finishes are both available — satin is usually specified where glare under operating lights is a concern.
Who Sources Tilley Forceps From Surgical Star
Tilley forceps sell to ENT distributors and emergency departments, where epistaxis packing makes them a routinely used and frequently reordered instrument.
OEM, Certification and Ordering
Every Tilley forceps can be produced as a private-label line: your logo laser-marked on the shank, your catalog numbers, and your own printed packaging, manufactured from your drawings or a reference sample. Manufactured under an ISO 13485 quality system, CE-marked to EU MDR 2017/745 and covered by US FDA establishment registration. A certificate of conformity and an ASTM F899 material certificate for the exact steel grade ship with your order.
MOQs are low and new-brand friendly, and vary with pattern, finish and branding. Pricing is direct from the factory and tiered by volume. After you approve a branded pre-production sample, bulk production typically runs four to six weeks and ships worldwide DDP with HS codes handled. See how OEM & private label works →
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Tilley forceps bayonet-shaped?
The double bend offsets the handle from the jaws so the operator’s hand does not obstruct the view down the nose under a headlight.
What are they used for?
Inserting and removing nasal packing, handling ribbon gauze, and removing small foreign bodies from the nasal cavity.
Serrated or non-serrated jaws?
Serrated grips ribbon gauze securely; non-serrated is gentler on mucosa. Most ENT trays carry both.
Can you manufacture these under our own brand?
Yes — full OEM and private label. We laser-mark your logo and catalog numbers, pack in your branded boxes, and work from your drawings, tech pack or a reference sample, with a pre-production sample approved before any bulk run.
Send your pattern list, drawing or a reference sample and we’ll quote MOQ, pricing and lead time — standard catalog or fully private-label.
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