A bipolar forceps, comprising: a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts (12, 14) each having a jaw member (42, 44) extending from a distal end thereof and a handle (16, 18) disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; wherein a disposable housing of opposing halves (70a, 70b) configured to releasably couple to each other to at least partially encompass one or both of the shafts and configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts; an electrode assembly associated with the disposable housing and having a first electrode releasably coupleable to the jaw member of the first shaft and a second electrode releasably coupleable to the jaw member of the second shaft, each electrode adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy to allow selective conduction of electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween; at least one of the electrodes including a knife channel defined along a length thereof, the knife channel configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members; a knife guide supported in the disposable housing and having a longitudinal slot defined therethrough that receives the knife blade therein to align the knife blade with the knife channel; a switch supported by the disposable housing and configured to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the electrodes upon movement of the jaw members between the first and second positions; and an actuation mechanism at least partially disposed within the disposable housing and configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue, characterized in that the pivot defines a passageway therethrough and the knife blade is configured to move within the longitudinal slot of the knife guide and the passageway through the pivot upon translation thereof, wherein the knife guide extends through the passageway through the pivot. a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts (12, 14) each having a jaw member (42, 44) extending from a distal end thereof and a handle (16, 18) disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; wherein a disposable housing of opposing halves (70a, 70b) configured to releasably couple to each other to at least partially encompass one or both of the shafts and configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts; an electrode assembly associated with the disposable housing and having a first electrode releasably coupleable to the jaw member of the first shaft and a second electrode releasably coupleable to the jaw member of the second shaft, each electrode adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy to allow selective conduction of electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween; at least one of the electrodes including a knife channel defined along a length thereof, the knife channel configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members; a knife guide supported in the disposable housing and having a longitudinal slot defined therethrough that receives the knife blade therein to align the knife blade with the knife channel; a switch supported by the disposable housing and configured to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the electrodes upon movement of the jaw members between the first and second positions; and an actuation mechanism at least partially disposed within the disposable housing and configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue, characterized in that the pivot defines a passageway therethrough and the knife blade is configured to move within the longitudinal slot of the knife guide and the passageway through the pivot upon translation thereof, wherein the knife guide extends through the passageway through the pivot.