A surgical stapling apparatus includes a stapling assembly including a staple cartridge for retaining and selectively releasing a plurality of staples (52a,52b), a forming member (114) engageable by a staple during formation thereof, and first and second anvil sections (124a,126a) for forming the staples. The first and second anvil sections are configured for independent actuation. A method of stapling first and second sections of tissue is also disclosed. Using the stapling apparatus, it is not necessary to exert traction on the tissue to be stapled.
