An end effector for use with a surgical apparatus. The end effector comprisinga staplecartridge having a tissue contacting surface defining a central longitudinalslot and an anvil platehaving a tissue contacting surface defining a central longitudinal slot. Asurgical buttressreleasbly disposed on the tissue contacting surfaces of each of the staplecartridge and anvilplate. An adhesive tape is disposed over the central longitudinal slot of eachof the staplecartridge and anvil plate and configured retain the respective surgicalbuttress atop the respectivetissue contacting surface.
