Patent ID: 8591588

Claim:
A method for implanting a spinal fixation plate, comprising: positioning a spinal fixation plate having a mid-portion, a superior portion, and an inferior portion to extend between adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae; inserting at least one fastening element through at least one thru-bore formed in the superior portion of the spinal fixation plate and through an anterior rim of the superior vertebra; inserting at least one fastening element through at least one thru-bore formed in the inferior portion of the spinal fixation plate and through an anterior rim of the inferior vertebra; wherein a length of the spinal fixation plate in a superior to inferior direction is greater than a maximum width of the spinal fixation plate, and the superior and inferior portions are positioned at an angle with respect to the mid-portion of the plate in a direction anterior to an anterior face of the mid-portion such that the mid-portion is flush or sub-flush relative to anterior faces of the inferior and superior vertebrae.