A hemostat (also called a hemostat clamp, arterial forceps, or pean after Jules-Emile Pean) is a surgical tool used in many surgical procedures to control bleeding. For that reason it's common to see the initial incision lined with hemostats closing blood vessels awaiting ligation during the initial phases of surgery. Hemostats belong to a group of instruments that pivot (similar to scissors, and including needle holders, tissue and various clamps) where the structure of the tip determines the function.

The hemostat has handles that can be held in place by their locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is typically a series of interlocking teeth, a few one each handle, that allow the user to adjust the clamping force force of the pliers.