An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing, coagulating and/or cutting vessels and/or tissue, the end effector assembly comprising: a pair of opposing first and second jaw members (110, 120) at least one of which being movable relative to the other 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; each jaw member including an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface (4212, 4222) extending along a length thereof, each tissue sealing surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue grasped therebetween to effect a seal; an insulative support element (4213, 4223) configured to support each electrically conductive tissue sealing surface; and an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within at least one insulative support element of one of the jaw members; and characterised by: at least one channel defined within at least one of the insulative support elements, the at least one channel configured to transport fluid adjacent to the electrically conductive cutting element wherein portions of the channel branch around the electrically conductive cutting element, wherein each channel portion ends at an orifice adjacent to the cutting element, thereby providing a channel for irrigating tissue with a fluid immediately adjacent the cutting element. a pair of opposing first and second jaw members (110, 120) at least one of which being movable relative to the other 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; each jaw member including an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface (4212, 4222) extending along a length thereof, each tissue sealing surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue grasped therebetween to effect a seal; an insulative support element (4213, 4223) configured to support each electrically conductive tissue sealing surface; and an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within at least one insulative support element of one of the jaw members; and characterised by: at least one channel defined within at least one of the insulative support elements, the at least one channel configured to transport fluid adjacent to the electrically conductive cutting element wherein portions of the channel branch around the electrically conductive cutting element, wherein each channel portion ends at an orifice adjacent to the cutting element, thereby providing a channel for irrigating tissue with a fluid immediately adjacent the cutting element. at least one channel defined within at least one of the insulative support elements, the at least one channel configured to transport fluid adjacent to the electrically conductive cutting element wherein portions of the channel branch around the electrically conductive cutting element, wherein each channel portion ends at an orifice adjacent to the cutting element, thereby providing a channel for irrigating tissue with a fluid immediately adjacent the cutting element.