Surgical instruments and methods for performing tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and other surgical procedures

An electrosurgical end effector assembly, comprising:

• first and second jaw members configured to grasp tissue therebetween, the first jaw member including:
• a jaw frame defining a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion of the jaw frame including first and second spaced-apart flanges defining aligned pivot apertures configured to receive a pivot pin to pivotably couple the first and second jaw members with one another and aligned cam slots configured to receive a cam pin to drive pivoting of the first jaw member relative to the second jaw member, the distal portion of the jaw frame defining an upright and a base, wherein the upright and the base are substantially perpendicular relative to one another;
• an electrode configured to conduct energy to tissue, the electrode including a leg defining an upper end and a lower end, the leg extending in substantially parallel orientation relative to the upright, the leg defining a plurality of apertures spaced-apart along at least a portion of a length of the leg and disposed between the upper and lower ends of the leg, wherein the upper end of the leg is exposed;
• and
• an insulative spacer capturing the lower end of the leg within the insulative spacer, the insulative spacer disposed on the jaw frame and positioned to electrically isolate the electrode from the jaw frame.