Anterior cervical plates for spinal surgery employing anchor backout prevention devices, and related systems and methods

A method, comprising:

• abutting a rear surface of a main body of an anterior cervical plate against anterior surfaces of first and second vertebrae, wherein the rear surface is opposite a front surface of the main body, wherein first and second inner surfaces of the main body are each connected to both the front and the rear surfaces, wherein the first and the second inner surfaces forming respectively first and second anchor passageways through the main body, wherein the first and the second anchor passageways are configured to receive respectively first and second anchors to be inserted respectively into the first and the second vertebrae, wherein the main body having a first material composition, and the rear surface extends uninterrupted from the first anchor passageway to the second anchor passageway;
• and
• abutting a positioning guide against an endplate of the first vertebra while the positioning guide is free from abutment with the second vertebra, wherein the positioning guide projects from the rear surface, and wherein the positioning guide having a second material composition different than the first material composition.

A method, comprising:

• abutting a rear surface of a main body of an anterior cervical plate against anterior surfaces of first and second vertebrae, wherein the rear surface is opposite a front surface of the main body, wherein first and second inner surfaces of the main body are each connected to both the front and the rear surfaces, wherein the first and the second inner surfaces forming respectively first and second anchor passageways through the main body, wherein the first and the second anchor passageways are configured to receive respectively first and second anchors to be inserted respectively into the first and the second vertebrae, and the rear surface extends uninterrupted from the first anchor passageway to the second anchor passageway;
• and
• abutting a single positioning guide against an endplate of the first vertebra while the positioning guide is free from abutment with the second vertebra, wherein the single positioning guide projects from the rear surface.