Expandable anastomotic device

A surgical fastening system includes a fastener having a plurality of individual fastener pairs each having a piercing element with a pin that pierces the tissue to be repaired and a receiver portion that interlocks with the pin of a corresponding piercing element. A fastener dispenser holds the piercing elements and receiver elements in relative juxtaposition and in a predetermined geometric configuration, such as a circle. After the tissues to be joined are positioned between the piercing and receiving elements held in the dispenser, the dispenser is adjusted to draw the elements together capturing the tissue therebetween. The dispenser then pushes the piercing elements through the tissue and into the receiving elements causing the elements to interlock. Because the anastomosed junction is formed by a plurality of independent pairs, the junction retains flexibility. When used to anastomose a tubular organ, the fastener allows radial expansion of the organ permitting peristalsis.