Abstract: A tissue forceps includes a first arm and a second arm. In an unbiased state, the arms extend from a common base along respective lines that form an acute angle resulting in an initial displacement between distal ends of the two arms. The distal end of each arm includes a finger portion that may include a retention notch, a flared footing, or both. Retention notches formed in one or both of the fingers define a retention aperture when the tissue forceps is closed. Retention apertures may be triangular, square, circular or any other suitable shape. The size and shape of the retention aperture may accommodate a surgical needle having a cross section of like size and shape. Flared footings may include inward flares, outward flares, or both. A pair of fingers may include any combination of flared footings combined with any combination of retention notches.