A method for bending a staple closed in living tissue so that its pointed ends pierce the tissue, and for subsequently opening the staple by bending the central portion of the staple to generally a U-shape so that the staple end portions retract from the tissue through the use of a staple remover. The central portion of the staple has a crank-like structure adapted to receive jaw members of the staple remover, and in reponse to pressure from the jaw members to first orient the staple at a predetermined position with respect to the jaw members, and to then maintain that orientation as the staple is bent open.