A surgical fastening system is disclosed, comprising a plurality of surgical fasteners, an energy source, and an indicating unit. Each surgical fastener includes a backspan, a pair of legs, and a contact pad. The backspan and pair of legs are at least partially formed from an electrically conductive material, and the contact pad has a portion formed from an electrically conductive material. The energy source is electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of surgical fasteners and generates a current, and the indicating unit is electrically connected to the contact pad of at least one of the plurality of surgical fasteners. Upon contact of at least one of the pair of legs with the portion of the contact pad that is formed from an electrically conductive material, the indicating unit generates a signal indicating the formation of at least one of the plurality of surgical fasteners.