An endoscopic forceps includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto, the shaft including a pair of jaw members disposed at a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a drive assembly disposed in the housing which moves the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for manipulating tissue. A pair of handles is operatively connected to the drive assembly and the handles are movable relative to the housing to actuate the drive assembly to move the jaw members. Each of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy for treating tissue. A switch is disposed on the housing and is activatable to selectively deliver energy at a first electrical potential to at least one jaw member for treating tissue. The switch is operatively coupled to an intensity control mechanism disposed within the housing, which is selectively adjustable to regulate the level of electrosurgical energy to at least one jaw member.
