Bone plate stabilization system and method for its use

An apparatus, comprising:

• a base plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, and first and second ends, the base plate defining a plurality of bone anchor holes that each extend from the top surface toward one of the first and second ends, the plurality of bone anchor holes including a first bone anchor hole extending from the top surface and terminating in a first opening at least partially defined by the first end and a second bone anchor hole extending from the top surface and terminating in a second opening at least partially defined by the first end, the first end including a substantially flat portion extending from the first opening to the second opening;
• and
• a chamber structure configured to be coupled to the base plate, the chamber structure configured to maintain disc space across a bone graft site between adjacent vertebral bones,
• the base plate and the chamber structure configured to be implanted between the adjacent vertebral bones with (1) the base plate fitting primarily between anterior portions of the adjacent vertebral bones and (2) the chamber structure extending posteriorly from the base plate,
• the base plate, when implanted, configured to bear weight along portions of the first and second ends of the base plate fitted between the anterior portions of the adjacent vertebral bones, while sharing weight with bone graft material placed between the adjacent vertebral bones and in a space at least partially defined by the chamber structure;
• the top surface of the base plate is generally (1) flat and (2) of rectangular shape when viewed in an anterior-to-posterior direction.