A surgical stapler comprising: an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis (L) between the proximal end and the distal end ; an actuation mechanism comprising an actuation beam extending through at least a portion of the elongate shaft , the actuation beam further comprising a first guide and a second guide thereon; a jaw assembly disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft , the jaw assembly comprising: a first jaw defining a first clamping surface , the first jaw comprising a first guide slot extending longitudinally therein; a second jaw defining a second clamping surface , the second jaw comprising a second guide slot extending longitudinally therein; a link comprising a third guide thereon; and a plurality of staples; wherein the jaw assembly is actuatable by longitudinal movement of the actuation beam between a closed position in which the first clamping surface is positioned adjacent the second clamping surface , an open position in which the second clamping surface extends at an angle transverse to the first clamping surface , and a stapling position in which the first clamping surface extends parallel to the second clamping surface and is spaced apart from the second clamping surface ; characterized in that the actuation beam comprises a third guide slot formed therein, and the first guide is slideable in the first guide slot , the second guide is slidable in the second guide slot , and the third guide of the link is slideably engaged in the third guide slot to actuate the jaw assembly. an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis (L) between the proximal end and the distal end ; an actuation mechanism comprising an actuation beam extending through at least a portion of the elongate shaft , the actuation beam further comprising a first guide and a second guide thereon; a jaw assembly disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft , the jaw assembly comprising: a first jaw defining a first clamping surface , the first jaw comprising a first guide slot extending longitudinally therein; a second jaw defining a second clamping surface , the second jaw comprising a second guide slot extending longitudinally therein; a link comprising a third guide thereon; and a plurality of staples; a first jaw defining a first clamping surface , the first jaw comprising a first guide slot extending longitudinally therein; a second jaw defining a second clamping surface , the second jaw comprising a second guide slot extending longitudinally therein; a link comprising a third guide thereon; and a plurality of staples; wherein the jaw assembly is actuatable by longitudinal movement of the actuation beam between a closed position in which the first clamping surface is positioned adjacent the second clamping surface , an open position in which the second clamping surface extends at an angle transverse to the first clamping surface , and a stapling position in which the first clamping surface extends parallel to the second clamping surface and is spaced apart from the second clamping surface ; characterized in that the actuation beam comprises a third guide slot formed therein, and the first guide is slideable in the first guide slot , the second guide is slidable in the second guide slot , and the third guide of the link is slideably engaged in the third guide slot to actuate the jaw assembly. <EOS>