A multiple-cap removing-and-holding instrument, for removing guide caps for spinal-implant assemblies in surgery, the instrument comprising: a distal compartment portion comprising a chamber component, a distal-instrument end, and a plunger movably disposed within the chamber component, wherein: the chamber component comprises a chamber wall having an inner surface and an outer surface and extending from a proximal-chamber end to the distal-instrument end forming a distal opening, and comprises a cap-retaining component, the distal opening is sized and shaped to allow the guide caps to pass through the distal opening and into the chamber component in use of the multiple-cap removing-and-holding instrument, wherein the cap-retaining component is configured so that the distal-instrument end can be slid over the guide cap to capture and retain the guide cap within the chamber component, and the chamber component is sized and shaped to receive, one at a time, and hold simultaneously, multiple caps removed from respective spinal-implant assemblies using the multiple-cap removing-and-holding instrument; a proximal handle portion; a body portion extending from a proximal-body end, connected to the handle portion, to a distal-body end connected to the distal compartment portion; and a sliding component connected movably to the body portion and connected to the plunger such that the sliding component, when moved distally, in use of the multiple-cap removing-and-holding instrument, moves the plunger distally to push the guide caps captured in the chamber component distally, beyond the cap-retaining component, and out of the chamber component via the distal opening at the distal-instrument end; characterized in that the multiple-cap removing-and-holding instrument further comprises a spring positioned within the body portion in contact with the sliding component to bias the sliding component proximally. a distal compartment portion comprising a chamber component, a distal-instrument end, and a plunger movably disposed within the chamber component, wherein: the chamber component comprises a chamber wall having an inner surface and an outer surface and extending from a proximal-chamber end to the distal-instrument end forming a distal opening, and comprises a cap-retaining component, the distal opening is sized and shaped to allow the guide caps to pass through the distal opening and into the chamber component in use of the multiple-cap removing-and-holding instrument, wherein the cap-retaining component is configured so that the distal-instrument end can be slid over the guide cap to capture and retain the guide cap within the chamber component, and the chamber component is sized and shaped to receive, one at a time, and hold simultaneously, multiple caps removed from respective spinal-implant assemblies using the multiple-cap removing-and-holding instrument; a proximal handle portion; the chamber component comprises a chamber wall having an inner surface and an outer surface and extending from a proximal-chamber end to the distal-instrument end forming a distal opening, and comprises a cap-retaining component, the distal opening is sized and shaped to allow the guide caps to pass through the distal opening and into the chamber component in use of the multiple-cap removing-and-holding instrument, wherein the cap-retaining component is configured so that the distal-instrument end can be slid over the guide cap to capture and retain the guide cap within the chamber component, and the chamber component is sized and shaped to receive, one at a time, and hold simultaneously, multiple caps removed from respective spinal-implant assemblies using the multiple-cap removing-and-holding instrument; a proximal handle portion; a body portion extending from a proximal-body end, connected to the handle portion, to a distal-body end connected to the distal compartment portion; and a sliding component connected movably to the body portion and connected to the plunger such that the sliding component, when moved distally, in use of the multiple-cap removing-and-holding instrument, moves the plunger distally to push the guide caps captured in the chamber component distally, beyond the cap-retaining component, and out of the chamber component via the distal opening at the distal-instrument end; characterized in that the multiple-cap removing-and-holding instrument further comprises a spring positioned within the body portion in contact with the sliding component to bias the sliding component proximally.