A surgical stapler comprising a tool assembly, said tool assembly comprising: a first jaw member defining a first tissue contact surface; a second jaw member defining a second tissue contact surface, the first jaw member and the second jaw member being movable in relation to each other between open and closed positions, wherein, in the closed position, the first and second tissue contact surfaces are spaced apart from each other and define a tissue gap ('G'); and a compressible material secured to a distal end of the first jaw member, the compressible material engaging the second jaw member when the first and second jaw members are in the closed position, wherein the second jaw member defines a distal end and the distal ends of first and second jaw members define a wedge-like volume ('V'), the compressible material being received in the wedge-like volume wherein the second tissue contact surface is planar and extends distally to a distal tip of the second jaw member to define an angular surface having a distal end, said angular surface being positioned to guide tissue between the jaws, wherein the shape of a leading edge of the compressible material allows tissue ('T') to move up and over the compressible material without the compressible material folding back on itself, characterised in that said compressible material has a wedge-like shape that includes a first generally flat or slightly arcuate surface and a second generally flat surface (434") that are in an angled relationship with one another, wherein the wedge-like shape of the compressible material 430 includes an arcuate peripheral external surface that extends between first surface and second surface (434") such that the first surface intersects the arcuate peripheral external surface approximately at a right angle (θ) while the second surface (434") intersects the arcuate peripheral external surface at an acute angle (Φ), and wherein the tool assembly further comprises an adhesive positioned to secure the compressible material to the distal tip of the tool assembly. a first jaw member defining a first tissue contact surface; a second jaw member defining a second tissue contact surface, the first jaw member and the second jaw member being movable in relation to each other between open and closed positions, wherein, in the closed position, the first and second tissue contact surfaces are spaced apart from each other and define a tissue gap ('G'); and a compressible material secured to a distal end of the first jaw member, the compressible material engaging the second jaw member when the first and second jaw members are in the closed position, wherein the second jaw member defines a distal end and the distal ends of first and second jaw members define a wedge-like volume ('V'), the compressible material being received in the wedge-like volume wherein the second tissue contact surface is planar and extends distally to a distal tip of the second jaw member to define an angular surface having a distal end, said angular surface being positioned to guide tissue between the jaws, wherein the shape of a leading edge of the compressible material allows tissue ('T') to move up and over the compressible material without the compressible material folding back on itself, characterised in that said compressible material has a wedge-like shape that includes a first generally flat or slightly arcuate surface and a second generally flat surface (434") that are in an angled relationship with one another, wherein the wedge-like shape of the compressible material 430 includes an arcuate peripheral external surface that extends between first surface and second surface (434") such that the first surface intersects the arcuate peripheral external surface approximately at a right angle (θ) while the second surface (434") intersects the arcuate peripheral external surface at an acute angle (Φ), and wherein the tool assembly further comprises an adhesive positioned to secure the compressible material to the distal tip of the tool assembly.