Minimal exposure posterior spinal interbody instrumentation and technique

A guide used in conjunction with the preparation of a vertebral body for spinal surgery, comprising:

• a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a cylindrical side wall;
• said side wall including a circumferentially uninterrupted portion defining a first longitudinal passage having a diameter;
• said side wall also including a circumferentially interrupted portion defining a second longitudinal passage having a maximum width, said width being less than said diameter;
• and
• wherein said sleeve is positionable adjacent the vertebral body to allow removal of vertebral tissue laterally adjacent said second longitudinal passage by an axially displacable cutting tool extending through said first longitudinal passage.

A guide used in conjunction with the preparation of a vertebral body for spinal surgery comprising:

• a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a cylindrical side wall;
• said side wall including a circumferentially uninterrupted portion;
• and
• said side wall also including a circumferentially interrupted portion defining an opening extending longitudinally from a distal end of said circumferentially interrupted portion toward said circumferentially uninterrupted portion, said circumferentially interrupted being positionable adjacent the vertebral body with vertebral tissue extending transversely into said opening.

A guide used in conjunction with spinal surgery comprising:

• a sleeve having a cylindrical side wall;
• said side wall including a circumferentially uninterrupted portion, said side wall also including a circumferentially interrupted portion defining an opening extending along the entire length of said circumferentially interrupted portion;
• an elongated flange projecting from the end of said circumferentially interrupted portion and positioned generally opposite said opening;
• and
• a protective barrier positioned across said opening.

A guide sleeve for placement of a spinal implant within a disc space between an upper vertebral surface and a lower vertebral surface, comprising:

• a proximal portion extending along a longitudinal axis and having an uninterrupted side wall;
• a distal portion extending along said longitudinal axis and having a side wall defining an interior sized to receive the spinal implant therethrough, said side wall defining an opening extending in a longitudinal direction from a distal end of said distal portion toward said proximal portion and in communication with said interior, said opening being positioned adjacent a lateral vertebral surface with vertebral tissue extending transversely into said opening;
• and
• a distracting portion comprising an elongated flange projecting from said distal end in a longitudinal direction and having a height corresponding to said disc space, said flange projecting between said upper and lower vertebral surface to maintain distraction of said disc space.

A surgical method for implanting a spinal implant into a disc space between an upper and a lower vertebra, comprising:

• providing a boring tool and a guide sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion and an opposing distal portion, said proximal portion having an uninterrupted side wall, said distal portion having a side wall defining an opening extending in a longitudinal direction from a distal end of said sleeve toward said proximal portion;
• positioning the distal portion adjacent a vertebral body with vertebral tissue extending transversely into the opening;
• inserting the boring tool through the guide sleeve and forming an implant bore within the disc space;
• removing the boring tool from the guide sleeve;
• inserting a spinal implant through the guide sleeve and implanting the spinal implant into the implant bore;
• and
• removing the guide sleeve.

A surgical method for preparing an upper and lower vertebra for implantation of a spinal implant into the disc space, comprising:

• providing a cutting tool and a guide sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion and an opposing distal portion, said proximal portion having an uninterrupted side wall, said distal portion having a side wall defining an interior and an opening extending in a longitudinal direction from a distal end of the sleeve toward the proximal portion and in communication the interior;
• positioning the distal portion adjacent a vertebral body with vertebral tissue extending transversely thorough the opening and into the interior of the distal portion;
• and
• inserting the cutting tool through the guide sleeve to remove the vertebral tissue extending into the interior of the distal portion.