In one aspect of the present disclosure a surgical stapling apparatus isdisclosedincluding an anvil plate, a cartridge plate, and a knife assembly. The anviland cartridgeplates each include a central longitudinal slot. The longitudinal slot of theanvil plate has firstand second sides each forming a toothed rack. The knife assembly includes acircular knifeadapted to cut tissue is rotatably attached to an I-beam. The knife blade mayhave a serratededge configured to interlock with each of the teeth of the toothed racks. Theknife assemblymay include at least one gear fixedly coupled to the circular knife. The atleast one gear mayengage the toothed rack to rotate the circular knife.
