Method of lateral facet approach, decompression and fusion using screws and staples as well as arthroplasty

A kit for performing vertebral facet fusion by lateral approach comprising, in combination:

• a drill bit having a first diameter;
• a bone staple, comprising,
• a bridge having an upper surface and a lower surface and a circular aperture extending from said upper surface to said lower surface, said aperture having second diameter that is larger than said first diameter and cooperatively selected therewith such that said bone staple can be advanced along said drill bit when said drill bit is received in said circular aperture;
• a pair of legs extending from said lower surface of said bridge, one of said legs positioned on either side of said aperture;
• and
• a pair of pins extending from said upper surface of said bridge and each terminating at a distal end in an annularly enlarged head, one of said pins positioned on each side of said aperture;
• a bone staple guide for implanting said bone staple into vertebral bone, comprising,
• a cannulated rod having a cylindrical axial void extending from a first opening at a distal end to a second opening at a proximal end for through-access to said bone, said axial void having a third diameter that is larger than said first diameter,
• an annular channel formed in said distal end and at least partially encircling said first opening, said annular channel bounded by an inner wall and an outer wall, said inner wall and outer wall each rimmed with an annular protrusion extending sidelong into said channel, and
• a plurality of openings into said annular channel;
• wherein said aperture of said bone staple is concentrically aligned with said axial void of said bone staple guide when said pins are received in said annular channel via said plurality of openings into said annular channel;
• whereby said bone staple guide may be coaxially advanced over said drill bit when said bone staple is captured on said distal end of said hone staple guide by said receipt of said pins in said annular channel;
• said kit further comprising a hone screw having an annular head atop an externally-threaded body, said head having a maximum diameter less than said third diameter and greater than said second diameter, and said body having a diameter less than or equal to said first diameter;
• whereby upon removal of said drill bit from said axial void of said staple guide, said bone screw can be advanced through said axial void and said body of said bone screw can be further advanced through said aperture of said bone staple to secure said bone staple to said vertebral bone.