An anvil and an anvil delivery system comprising: an anvil assembly including a head assembly and a center rod defining a longitudinal axis, the head assembly pivotally secured to the center rod and movable from an operative position to a first tilted position； an adapter having a first end secured to the center rod and a second end； a flexible tube having an open end secured to the second end of the adapter； and a first suture secured to the head assembly, the first suture being positioned in tension to maintain the head assembly in the first tilted position, characterized in that the first suture is positioned in frictional contact between an inner surface of the flexible tube and the second end of the adapter to retain the first suture in tension.
