A forceps, comprising: an end effector assembly (100, 300) including first and second jaw members (110, 120, 310, 320) disposed in parallel orientation relative to one another, at least one of the jaw members (110, 120, 310, 320) movable along a first axis relative to the other jaw member (110, 120, 310, 320) between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween, the first and second jaw members (110, 120, 310, 320) configured to maintain the parallel orientation therebetween upon movement of the jaw members (110, 120, 310, 320) between the spaced-apart and approximated positions; a drive bar (64, 364) coupled to the at least one jaw member(110, 120, 310, 320), the drive bar (64, 364) selectively movable along a second axis that is different from the first axis between first and second positions for moving the jaw members (110, 120, 310, 320) between the spaced-apart and approximated positions; and an outer shaft (12, 302), wherein the first and second jaw members (110, 120, 310, 320) are coupled to the outer shaft (12, 302) and wherein the drive bar (64, 364) is selectively movable along the second axis relative to the outer shaft (12, 302) and the at least one jaw member (110, 120, 310, 320) is configured for slidable inter-fit engagement with the outer shaft (12, 302) to restrict movement of the jaw members (110, 120, 310, 320) to along the first axis, thereby maintaining the parallel orientation between the jaw members (110, 120, 310, 320) upon movement of the jaw members (110, 120, 310, 320) between the spaced-apart and approximated positions characterized in that the outer shaft (12, 302) and the at least one jaw member (110, 120, 310, 320) each include a T-shaped flange (304, 306, 316, 326), the T-shaped flanges configured for slidable inter-fit engagement with one another. an end effector assembly (100, 300) including first and second jaw members (110, 120, 310, 320) disposed in parallel orientation relative to one another, at least one of the jaw members (110, 120, 310, 320) movable along a first axis relative to the other jaw member (110, 120, 310, 320) between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween, the first and second jaw members (110, 120, 310, 320) configured to maintain the parallel orientation therebetween upon movement of the jaw members (110, 120, 310, 320) between the spaced-apart and approximated positions; a drive bar (64, 364) coupled to the at least one jaw member(110, 120, 310, 320), the drive bar (64, 364) selectively movable along a second axis that is different from the first axis between first and second positions for moving the jaw members (110, 120, 310, 320) between the spaced-apart and approximated positions; and an outer shaft (12, 302), wherein the first and second jaw members (110, 120, 310, 320) are coupled to the outer shaft (12, 302) and wherein the drive bar (64, 364) is selectively movable along the second axis relative to the outer shaft (12, 302) and the at least one jaw member (110, 120, 310, 320) is configured for slidable inter-fit engagement with the outer shaft (12, 302) to restrict movement of the jaw members (110, 120, 310, 320) to along the first axis, thereby maintaining the parallel orientation between the jaw members (110, 120, 310, 320) upon movement of the jaw members (110, 120, 310, 320) between the spaced-apart and approximated positions