To provide a method and an instrumentation for performing spinal surgery including discectomy, interbody fusion and rigid internal fixation of the spine, from the lateral side of the spine.

This instrumentation includes: a guide pin 30, a distractor 100 driven into the disc for spacing apart and realigning the adjacent bertebrae; an extended outer sleeve, an inner sleeve, an insert depth adjustable drill, and an implant driver. The distractor 100 further functions as an alignment rod for inserting the extended outer sleeve. The extended outer sleeve is a hollow tubular member capable of maintaining the spacing and alignment of two adjacent vertebrae and defines a protected space through which subsequent instruments which may include, but are not limited to a drill and a diameter reducing inner sleeve may be passed, as well as a spinal implant. The remainder of the surgical procedure consisting of the removal of spinal material across the disc, fusion, and rigid internal stabilization via the implant may all be performed via the closed space within the extended outer sleeve.