Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto which connects a pair of first and second jaw members such that the jaw members are movable relative to one another to grasp tissue therebetween. The instrument also includes a four-bar handle assembly attached to the housing for actuating a drive rod assembly. The handle assembly includes a handle and a cam-like piston which cooperate to impart a uniform closure pressure against tissue grasped between the jaw members. The instrument also includes a rotating assembly for rotating the jaw members, a knife assembly for separating tissue and a pair of electrical leads connect the jaw members to a source of electrical energy. The electrical leads include slack loops disposed in the rotating assembly which permit rotation of the jaw members about the axis.