Electrosurgical forceps for video assisted thoracoscopic surgery and other surgical procedures

An electrosurgical instrument, comprising:

• an end effector assembly, including:
• a first jaw member including a first jaw body and a first tissue contacting surface, the first jaw member defining a first knife channel extending longitudinally through the first tissue contacting surface, the first jaw member defining a first plurality of vent holes extending through the first jaw body into communication with the first knife channel, the first plurality of vent holes longitudinally spaced along at least a portion of a length of the first jaw body;
• a second jaw member including a second jaw body and a second tissue contacting surface, the second jaw member defining a second knife channel extending longitudinally through the second tissue contacting surface, wherein the first and second jaw members are coupled to one another such that at least one of the first or second jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue between the first and second tissue contacting surfaces, and wherein the second jaw member defines a second plurality of vent holes extending through the second jaw body into communication with the second knife channel, the second plurality of vent holes longitudinally spaced along at least a portion of a length of the second jaw body;
• and
• a knife configured to translate longitudinally through the first and second knife channels for cutting tissue grasped between the first and second tissue contacting surfaces.