Applicator instruments with inverted handles and triggers, curved shafts, and visible orientation indicia

A method of using an applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners, the applicator instrument comprising a housing, a firing system disposed in the housing, a handle extending upwardly from the housing, a trigger coupled to the housing and configured to activate the firing system, an elongated shaft extending from a distal end of the housing, a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed within the elongated shaft, and a visual indicator on the applicator instrument for indicating a proper orientation of the applicator instrument, the method comprising:

• forming a surgical opening in a patient;
• inserting a mesh through the surgical opening and placing the mesh adjacent a first portion of tissue at a desired location within the patient;
• inserting a distal shaft section of the elongated shaft through the surgical opening so that the distal shaft section is adjacent to a first section of the mesh, the housing is adjacent a skin surface of the patient, and the handle and trigger project away from the skin surface of the patient;
• applying a counter-pressure to a second portion of the tissue opposite the distal shaft section;
• and
• actuating the trigger to activate the firing system and dispense one of the plurality of surgical fasteners through the mesh and the first portion of tissue to secure the first section of the mesh to the first portion of tissue.