A bipolar electrosurgical instrument has inner (32) and outer (32) members each having a respective jaw member (50,60) disposed at a distal end thereof. Each jaw members has right (22,22) and left side surfaces and seal surface (24,24). The seal surfaces are adapted to connect to an electrical energy source such that the seal surfaces are capable of conducting bipolar energy therebetween. The inner and outer members are movable from a first position where the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position where the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue. The instrument further has a first gripping device (114,114) disposed on at least one of the right (22,22) and left side surfaces of one of the jaw members (32,32). The first gripping device includes tines (102,102) extending therefrom dimensioned to engage and hold tissue when the jaw members are moved from the first position to the second position.
