Surgical instruments and methods

A scalpel for minimally invasive surgical procedures, comprising:

• a longitudinal shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a grip at the proximal end;
• and
• a dissector at the distal end;
• wherein the dissector comprises a first portion extending along a first direction generally corresponding to a direction of the distal end of the longitudinal shaft, and a second portion extending along a second direction, wherein an angle between the second direction and the first direction is 90°-135°, and wherein a distal end of the second portion comprises a rounded tip;
• the dissector further comprising a cutting blade provided between the first portion and the second portion of the dissector, wherein a cutting edge of the cutting blade is arranged to generally face towards the rounded tip and/or to form an acute angle with the first direction such that the scalpel can dissect and cut tissue in a single, substantially straight movement.

A surgical implant for stabilizing a lamina of a vertebra of a patient, comprising:

• a mounting flange including a hole for accommodating a bone screw for attachment to an articular process of the vertebra;
• and
• a first, a second and a third clamping flange;
• wherein the first clamping flange is configured to be arranged on a first side of the lamina, and the second and third clamping flanges are configured to be arranged on a second side of the lamina, the second side being opposite to the first side, such that the lamina is clamped between the first, second and third clamping flanges,
• the clamping flanges comprising one or more sharp stabilizers on surfaces that are in contact with the lamina,
• wherein the second and third clamping flanges are laterally offset with respect to the first clamping flange.

An osteotome, comprising:

• a first jaw and a second jaw;
• and
• a first grip connected to the first jaw and a second grip connected to the second jaw, wherein
• the first and second jaws are pivotable around a first axis and face each other, and
• the first jaw and the second jaw both comprise substantially parallel first and second cutting members.

A surgical method comprising:

• removing a mid-portion of the spinous process;
• severing the right and left laminae of the vertebra from the articular process;
• attaching the laminae to an apical portion of the spinous process;
• providing a first implant between the right lamina and the right articular process;
• providing a second implant between the left lamina and the left articular process;
• and
• attaching the laminae and articular processes to the two implants.