Surgical stapling apparatus and method

A method of applying surgical bolstering material to body tissue comprising:

• providing a surgical stapler having first and second jaw structures;
• providing a first, generally tubular surgical bolstering member fabricated from polytetrafluoroethylene;
• disposing the first tissue bolstering member over one of the stapler jaw structures;
• positioning the jaw structures of the stapler on either side of tissue to be stapled;
• and
• firing the stapler to drive staples through the bolstering member and tissue.

A method of applying surgical bolstering material to body tissue comprising;

• providing a surgical stapler having an anvil jaw and a staple cartridge jaw;
• selecting a first, generally tubular bolstering member fabricated from polytetrafluoroethylene;
• fitting the first bolstering member over the staple cartridge jaw of the stapler, such that the bolstering member generally surrounds the staple cartridge jaw;
• selecting a second bolstering member fabricated from polytetrafluoroethylene;
• fitting the second bolstering member over the staple cartridge jaw of the stapler, such that the bolstering member generally surrounds the staple cartridge jaw;
• positioning the stapler jaws having the bolstering members fitted thereon on either side of tissue to be stapled;
• and
• firing the stapler to drive staples through the bolstering members and tissue.

A surgical apparatus for driving surgical fasteners into body tissue comprising:

• a first jaw structure for housing a plurality of surgical fasteners and having an outer perimetal surface;
• a second jaw structure being disposed in juxtaposed alignment with the first jaw structure to effect closure of said plurality of fasteners and having an outer perimetal surface;
• and
• a continuous wrap of biocompatible surgical fabric disposed around the outer perimetal surface of at least one of the first and second jaw structures, the wrap having an interior surface and an exterior surface, such that the interior surface of the wrap faces an outer perimetal surface of the first or second jaw structure when the wrap is disposed around the jaw structure.