A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising:first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereofa bifurcated pivot member extending from one of the jaw members and configured to extend through an opening defined in the other jaw membera pivot plate coupled to the bifurcated pivot member such that the pivot plate and the bifurcated pivot member are configured to rotate within the opening upon movement of the first and second shafts relative to one another to effect movement of the jaw members between a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another and a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissuea proximal shaft connector operably coupled to at least one of the first and second shafts and configured to connect the bipolar electrosurgical instrument to a source of electrosurgical energy adapted to provide first and second electrical potentials to the bipolar electrosurgical instrument andan electrosurgical cable including a first conductive lead configured to connect to the first electrical potential and a second conductive lead configured to connect to the second electrical potential, at least one of the first or second conductive leads configured to extend through the bifurcated pivot member to connect to a respective jaw member.
