An implant insertion instrument provides a guide through tissue (skin, fascia, musculature) and into a vertebral space after a discectomy. The instrument slides onto a guide wire and defines a path for the implant to be delivered to the vertebral space. The guide expands laterally as required to accommodate the implant as the implant slides through a channel defined in the guide, which allows distraction of the vertebral bodies while maintaining a small incision in the patient.
