Which instrument allows tissue to be pulled laterally during surgery?

The correct choice is Carmalt forceps, which are specifically designed to grasp and manipulate large amounts of tissue, allowing for lateral tissue retraction during surgical procedures. The structure of Carmalt forceps features a long, curved design with interdigitating teeth that provide a secure grip on tissue, making them particularly useful for clamping larger vessels or tissue masses. This characteristic enables surgeons to effectively pull tissue laterally, maintaining better visibility and access to the surgical site.

While Adson tissue forceps are commonly used for handling delicate tissues and Debakey tissue forceps are suitable for grasping finer tissue without causing damage, they are not primarily designed for laterally retracting larger tissue masses. Straight mayo scissors, on the other hand, serve a different function entirely, being essential for cutting but not for retraction or manipulation of tissue in a lateral direction. Thus, Carmalt forceps stand out as the instrument specifically facilitating lateral movement of tissue during surgery.