Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument includes fluid carrying channels incorporated into lateral aspects of jaws of the instrument and extending to outlets adjacent distal tips of the jaws, fluid carrying channels incorporated into a shaft of the instrument, and flexible fluid carrying channels connecting the distal ends of the shaft channels with the proximal end of respective jaw channels. An actuator on the device handle controls either delivery of fluid jets emanating lateral to tissue grasped between the instrument jaws or suction from the distal tips of the jaws to remove fluid in the vicinity of the jaws. The fluid jets perform atraumatic tissue dissection lateral to the structures grasped by the jaws, while the grasping jaws provide counter traction while conducting soft tissue hydro-dissection, by stabilizing the tissue in a direction opposite to the force exerted by the hydro-dissection fluid jets.