Abstract: An electrosurgical working end and method for transecting an anatomic structure along a targeted line and for creating a thermal welds along either of both transected tissue margins, for example, for use in a partial lung resection procedure. The working end provides elongate guide members that can be positioned on opposing sides of the targeted anatomic structure. The working end carries a slidable extension member with interior channels that receive the guide members. The extension member can be moved from a retracted position to an extended position by advancing over the guide members. As the extension member advances over the guide members (i) the guides compress the tissue just ahead of the advancing extension member to allow the laterally-outward portions of the extension member to ramp over the tissue, (ii) while contemporaneously a cutting element at the distal end of the extension member transects the tissue.