| abstract |
Embodiments of the invention include devices and methods for implanting a vertebral body spacer. A lateral surgical approach is contemplated with some disclosed procedures. Instruments of some embodiments are insertable into a disc space to achieve distraction, to determine a desired disc space height, and to select a corresponding implant. An intervertebral fusion implant (301) for lateral approach is disclosed having a convexly curved anterior sidewall (310) and convexly curved upper and lower surfaces (303, 305). The implant has a rounded leading end portion (307) for insertion into a collapsed disc space. |