a system for stapling tissue comprises a flexible endoscope and an operative head including a pair of opposed , curved tissue clamping jaws sized to pass through an esophagus , the jaws being moveable with respect to one another between an open tissue receiving configuration and a closed tissue clamping configuration , a first one of the curved jaws including a stapling mechanism and a second one of the jaws including a staple forming anvil surface , the stapling mechanism including staple slots through which staples are fired arranged in a row extending from a proximal end of the first jaw to a distal end thereof in combination with a control handle which , when the operative head is in an operative position within one of a patient &# 39 ; s stomach and esophagus , remains outside the patient , the control handle including a first actuator for moving the jaws relative to one another and a second actuator for operating the stapling mechanism .