A bipolar endoscopic forceps including an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof and a blade guide operatively disposed between the jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes an electrically conductive sealing surface. The blade guide is configured to facilitate translation of a knife through a knife channel defined in the jaw members. The blade guide has an aperture defined therethrough for housing the pivot.
