Jaw guard for surgical forceps

A forceps, comprising:

• first and second shaft members;
• the first shaft member including a first jaw member at a distal end thereof and the second shaft member including a second jaw member at a distal end thereof, the first and second jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another and movable about a pivot assembly from a first, spaced apart position to a second, closer position for grasping tissue, each of the jaw members including a proximal flange extending therefrom, each proximal flange defining an aperture extending therethrough configured to receive the pivot assembly, the second proximal flange having a U-shaped cross section having first and second legs defining a slot therebetween;
• and
• a guard disposed between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members, the guard having a U-shaped cross section with first and second legs configured to receive the proximal flange of the first jaw member and seat within the slot of the second jaw member, the guard configured to eliminate gaps between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members during angular rotation of the first and second jaw members between the first and second positions.