An endoscopic surgical stapler for applying a suture to tissue comprising: an elongated tubular member (102) having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion； first (122) and second (124) jaws supported by the distal end portion of the elongated tubular member (102), the first (122) and second (124) jaws being movable relative to one another between a spaced apart position and an approximated position, each of the first (122) and second (124) jaws including a plurality of staples and a portion of a suture (130)； and a suture retaining member (115) configured to mount the suture (130) along the elongated tubular member.
