Abstract: A surgical method and apparatus of repairing a tear, cut or defect in the body tissue, specifically the dura or vascular wall, is disclosed. An inner plate is placed on the tissue's inner surface in a position completely overlapping the tissue defect. An outer plate is placed on the tissue's outer surface in a position completely overlapping the defect and aligned with the inner plate, whereby the inner and outer plates have perimeters larger than the perimeter of the defect. The inner plate is coupled to the outer plate such that the peripheral edges of the body tissue defect are securely clamped between the inner and outer plates to provide a watertight repair to the tissue defect. An associated clamping apparatus and insertion tool is disclosed. An anastomotic clamping device for a body lumen is also disclosed using opposed annular clamping plates.