A forceps includes a pair of shaft members, a pair of jaw members each including a distal body and a proximal flange, and a pair of electrode plates. The proximal flanges are engaged with the respective shaft members and pivotably coupled to each other such that pivoting the shaft members pivots the distal jaw bodies. The electrode plates each includes a tissue-contacting portion disposed on the distal body of the respective jaw member and a proximal extension portion extending at least partially through the proximal flange of the respective jaw member. The tissue-contacting portion and proximal extension portion of the first electrode plate are disposed in perpendicular planes relative to each other. Likewise, the tissue-contacting portion and proximal extension portion of the second electrode plate are disposed in perpendicular planes relative to each other.
