A surgical instrument comprises a first elongated member (139) and a second elongated member (139), the first elongated member and the second elongated member being operatively connected and configured to rotate in opposite directions to substantially limit counter torque. The first and second elongated members are flexible shafts. The surgical instrument can be configured to apply fasteners (190) to a tissue portion. This embodiment of the surgical instrument includes a cartridge (110) having a plurality of fasteners, an anvil (120), said anvil and cartridge being relatively movable between spaced and approximated positions, and a sled (116) disposed in the cartridge. The sled includes a cam member (116b). The cam member is designed to drive the fasteners through tissue and toward the anvil.
