A surgical stapler (10) is provided. The stapler includes a tubular body portion (20). A cartridge assembly (22) is disposed at a distal end of the body portion for expelling an annular array of staples (24). Each of the staples of the annular array of staples has a generally bent backspan (32). An anvil member (26) disposed at the distal end of the tubular body portion is positioned opposite the cartridge assembly to clinch the staples in tissue upon expulsion of the staples from the cartridge assembly. The anvil member has a corresponding annular array of staple forming buckets (40). Each of the buckets is configured to accommodate the generally bent configuration of the staples to facilitate formation thereof.
