An end effector assembly of a forceps includes a first jaw member having an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface configured to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy and a second jaw member having an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface configured to connect to the source of electrosurgical energy. The first and the second jaw members are disposed in space opposition relation relative to one another, and at least one of the jaw members is movable relative to the other between a first, open position and a second, closed position for the jaw members to grasp tissue therebetween. The tissue sealing surfaces of the first and the second jaw members are configured to form complementary stepped portions along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the end effector assembly. The complementary stepped portions include a medial portion and a lateral portion on each of the first and second jaw, and one or both of the lateral surfaces has nonconductive stops.
