Abstract: There is disclosed a surgical instrument for implanting in bodily tissue, wound staples each comprising two legs and a crown connecting the legs. The staples are moved in succession out of a magazine onto an anvil, to be deformed thereon by means of a driver. The driver is lowered from a position of rest towards the staple on the anvil, and is further moved to close the staple on the anvil by bending the staple theraround, and to insert the legs of the staple into the bodily tissue. For problem-free and symmmetrical deformation of the staple, a hold-down device is lowered onto the anvil and upon deformation of the staple thereon presses the crown of the staple onto the anvil and so prevents the staple from moving laterally during its deformation.