A surgical instrument for creating an anastomosis includes a housing, a handle extending from the housing and a fastener support member extending distally from the housing. The fastener support member is configured and dimensioned to releasably support a plurality of surgical fasteners. The instrument further includes a tissue retaining mechanism which is selectively movable from a first position relative to the fastener support member to a second position in closer proximity with the fastener support member such that tissue disposed adjacent to the fastener support member is retained thereagainst. Upon actuation of the handle, a fastener firing mechanism simultaneously deforms the plurality of surgical fasteners to complete the anastomosis.
