A surgical stapling system, comprising: a first staple formed from a wire, wherein said first staple comprises: a first base ; and a first leg extending from said first base; a second staple formed from a wire, wherein said second staple comprises: a second base ; and a second leg extending from said second base; and a retention matrix , comprising: a first matrix element , comprising: a first aperture configured to receive said first leg after said first leg has been driven through tissue; and a first retention member configured to engage said first leg and retain said first matrix element in position on said first leg with said first leg unbent; a second matrix element , comprising: a second aperture configured to receive said second leg after said second leg has been driven through tissue; and a second retention member configured to engage said second leg and retain said second matrix element in position on said second leg with said second leg unbent; a connecting link connecting said first matrix element and said second matrix element. a first staple formed from a wire, wherein said first staple comprises: a first base ; and a first leg extending from said first base; a first base ; and a first leg extending from said first base; a second staple formed from a wire, wherein said second staple comprises: a second base ; and a second leg extending from said second base; and a second base ; and a second leg extending from said second base; and a retention matrix , comprising: a first matrix element , comprising: a first aperture configured to receive said first leg after said first leg has been driven through tissue; and a first retention member configured to engage said first leg and retain said first matrix element in position on said first leg with said first leg unbent; a second matrix element , comprising: a second aperture configured to receive said second leg after said second leg has been driven through tissue; and a second retention member configured to engage said second leg and retain said second matrix element in position on said second leg with said second leg unbent; a connecting link connecting said first matrix element and said second matrix element. a first matrix element , comprising: a first aperture configured to receive said first leg after said first leg has been driven through tissue; and a first retention member configured to engage said first leg and retain said first matrix element in position on said first leg with said first leg unbent; a first aperture configured to receive said first leg after said first leg has been driven through tissue; and a first retention member configured to engage said first leg and retain said first matrix element in position on said first leg with said first leg unbent; a second matrix element , comprising: a second aperture configured to receive said second leg after said second leg has been driven through tissue; and a second retention member configured to engage said second leg and retain said second matrix element in position on said second leg with said second leg unbent; a second aperture configured to receive said second leg after said second leg has been driven through tissue; and a second retention member configured to engage said second leg and retain said second matrix element in position on said second leg with said second leg unbent; a connecting link connecting said first matrix element and said second matrix element. <EOS>