An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft affixed to the housing including a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and a pair of jaw members attached to a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a drive assembly for moving one of the jaw members relative to the other jaw member from a first, spaced position relative to each other to a second, closed position for manipulating tissue. A handle is included which is rotatable to force a drive flange of the handle into mechanical cooperation with the drive assembly to move the jaw members from the open and closed positions. The pivot is located a fixed distance from the longitudinal axis and the drive flange is located along the longitudinal axis. The forceps connects to an energy source such that the jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal.
