| abstract |
A surgical apparatus is disclosed for attaching adjacent end portions of cutaneous body tissue wherein a pair of opposed jaws have means for moving the jaws toward and away from each other. Body tissue engaging means in the form of sharp tip members extend from each jaw and toward the other so as to engage the opposed portions of cutaneous tissue when the jaws are positioned thereagainst and moved toward each other. The jaws and the tips are arranged to cause the cutaneous tissue to assume an irregular shape at the interface whereby an elongated rod-like member, preferably rectangular in cross section, may be directed generally medially of the interface of the tissue to attach the opposed portions to thereby permit healing. The elongated member may have indentations to improve retention within the tissue. A tapered distal end of the elongated member has a pointed tip to facilitate penetration into the tissue. |