Surgical staple cartridges and methods for manipulating the severed ends of divided tissue. In various forms, the staple cartridge has at least one base material temporarily supported thereon that is oriented to be stapled to a corresponding end of the divided tissue. At least one elongated tether is non-removably affixed to each piece of base material. Once the base material is stapled to the corresponding piece of divided tissue, the clinician may manipulate that pieced of divided tissue by applying manipulation motions to the tether. Corresponding grooves or pockets may be provided on the cartridge body for temporarily supporting the tethers therein.
