DeBakey-Diethrich Bulldog Clamp

Description

DeBakey-Diethrich Bulldog Clamp

What makes this a DeBakey is the jaw face. Instead of the coarse transverse teeth of a general haemostat, the jaws carry several rows of fine, longitudinally set teeth that interdigitate as they close. Many small points along the jaw share the grip, rather than a few large ones pinching a single line. The load therefore spreads along the vessel instead of concentrating. That is the difference between a clamp a vessel recovers from and one it does not.

The Diethrich half of the name is the body: a compact sprung bulldog rather than a ring-handled clamp. There is no ratchet and no lock. Applying forceps open the shanks. You place the clamp, it closes under its own spring, and it comes off again in one movement. Nothing has to be unlatched one-handed in a field that is already crowded.

Jaw width

Jaw width is what decides the vessel the clamp will take. The 10 mm jaw suits small and medium arteries where a longer jaw would foul the anastomosis. The 14 mm jaw is the general-purpose width for most peripheral vessels and graft ends. The 20 mm jaw, on the longer 60 mm body, takes larger vessels. It also sits square across a graft, with no jaw tip standing proud.

Straight or angled

Straight shanks give the lowest profile, and they are the default when the vessel faces you. Angled shanks set the jaws at an angle to the body. Consequently the clamp lies on a vessel that runs away from you, or under one. Meanwhile the shanks and the applying forceps stay clear of the anastomosis, and out of the needle’s line. On a deep or awkward vessel the angled version is often the only one that will sit properly.

The six versions

• Straight — 10 mm jaw at 50 mm; 14 mm jaw at 50 mm; 20 mm jaw at 60 mm
• Angled — 10 mm jaw at 50 mm; 14 mm jaw at 50 mm; 20 mm jaw at 60 mm

Key features

• DeBakey interdigitating tooth rows — grip spread along the jaw, not concentrated across the vessel
• Sprung bulldog body, no ratchet or lock to release
• Applied and removed with bulldog applying forceps
• Three jaw widths on two body lengths, straight or angled
• Single-piece construction, so cleaning reaches everything, and autoclavable

Who it suits

Vascular and cardiothoracic teams for temporary occlusion during anastomosis, graft and bypass work, and transplant units clamping donor and recipient vessels.

Care

Clean the tooth rows properly — the interdigitating faces are where blood and protein lodge, and a jaw that has not been brushed out will not close cleanly next time. Store the clamp relaxed rather than compressed so the spring keeps its set. Before each case check that the teeth mesh along the whole jaw and that the tips are not sprung apart.

Warranty

Three years against manufacturing defects.