Method and apparatus for performing spine surgery

A system comprising:

• a resector configured to be inserted through a lateral access corridor to access and cut a targeted intervertebral disc of a spine, wherein the resector comprises:
• a cutter configured to access and cut an anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) via a lateral approach, and
• a tissue retractor slidably coupling the cutter such that the cutter is configured to cut while sliding relative to the retractor, the tissue retractor and configured to provide a barrier that protects surrounding tissue of the targeted intervertebral disc, the ALL, or both from the sliding movement of the cutter;
• an implant configured to be inserted through the lateral access corridor and engage the spine, wherein the implant comprises a top surface configured to engage a first vertebra of the spine, a bottom surface configured to engage a second vertebra of the spine, a leading side, a trailing side, an anterior sidewall, and a posterior sidewall;
• and
• an insertion instrument configured to position the implant through the lateral access corridor, wherein the implant further comprises a receiving aperture configured to receive the insertion instrument therein;
• and
• a guide clip coupled to the insertion instrument and configured to limit rotation of the insertion instrument in a cephalad-caudal direction to orient the implant,
• wherein the guide clip comprises a shim configured to rotate in two axes via an internal polyaxial joint of the shim, and a stabilizing arm having a cut-out region configured allow a pre-determined amount of rotation in a range between 1 and 359 degrees.