A bipolar forceps , comprising: a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle 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; a disposable housing configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts; an electrode assembly 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 electro surgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; 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 flexible tissue stop disposed between at least a portion of the distal ends of the shafts configured to prevent tissue held between the electrodes from moving proximal thereto, the flexible tissue stop having a knife slot defined therethrough configured to align with the knife channel to receive the knife blade therethrough; and an actuation mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing and configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue. a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle 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; a disposable housing configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts; an electrode assembly 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 electro surgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; 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 flexible tissue stop disposed between at least a portion of the distal ends of the shafts configured to prevent tissue held between the electrodes from moving proximal thereto, the flexible tissue stop having a knife slot defined therethrough configured to align with the knife channel to receive the knife blade therethrough; and an actuation mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing and configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue. <EOS>