Lateral mass fixation system

1. A facet guide device for accessing and guiding at least one fixation device to a cervical spine via a posterior approach, the device comprising an elongated body comprising:

a distal portion comprising a chamfered or beveled end portion configured for insertion in a facet joint of the cervical spine; and

a proximal shaft portion extending from the distal portion, and having a first set of opposing sides extending at least a portion of a length of the elongated body, and a shaped proximal end,

wherein the shaped proximal end maximizes accessible lateral mass area,

wherein at least one side of the first set of opposing sides has a complementary shape to at least one lumen of a slidable guide device comprising at least two lumens coupled together and having parallel and distinct central longitudinal axes, the slidable guide device configured to receive and guide a fixation device to the cervical spine, and

wherein the elongated body of the facet guide device decreases in height from the shaped proximal end to the distal portion along the length of the elongated body.

2. A device as in claim 1 , wherein the distal and proximal portions are solid.

3. A device as in claim 1 , wherein the shaped proximal end of the proximal shaft portion includes opposing sides having a concave shape.

4. A device as in claim 3 , wherein the shaped proximal end of the proximal shaft portion includes opposing sides having a convex shape.

5. A device as in claim 1 , wherein the first set of opposing sides extending at least a portion of a length of the body has a convex shape.

6. A device as in claim 1 , wherein the proximal shaft portion further comprises a second set of opposing sides extending at least a portion of a length of the body, the second set of opposing sides having a concave shape.

7. A device as in claim 1 , wherein the first set of opposing sides each define a recess extending at least a portion of the length of the elongated body.

8. A system for accessing and guiding at least one fixation device to adjacent vertebrae of a cervical spine via a posterior approach, the system comprising:

a facet guide device, comprising an elongated body comprising:

a distal portion comprising a chamfered or beveled end portion configured for insertion in a facet joint of the cervical spine; and

a proximal shaft portion extending from the distal portion, and having:

a first set of opposing sides extending at least a portion of a length of the elongated body, and

a shaped proximal end, wherein the shaped proximal end maximizes accessible lateral mass area;

a slidable guide device defining at least two lumens coupled together and having parallel and distinct central longitudinal axes, the slidable guide device slidingly received by the facet guide device and configured to receive and guide at least one instrument to the spine; and

a fixation device,

wherein at least one side of the first set of opposing sides of the facet guide device is complementary in shape to at least one lumen of the at least two lumens of the slidable guide device, and

wherein the elongated body of the facet guide device decreases in height from the shaped proximal end to the distal portion along the length of the elongated body.

9. A system as in claim 8 , wherein the at least two lumens of the slidable guide device comprise a double-barreled or dual-lumen guide tube.

10. A system as in claim 8 , further comprising a drill guide having at least one drill path defined therein, the drill guide configured to be received by both the slidable guide device and the facet guide device.

11. A system as in claim 8 , wherein the proximal shaft portion further comprises a second set of the opposing sides extending at least a portion of a length of the elongated body, the second set of opposing sides having a concave shape.

12. A system as in claim 8 , wherein the first set of opposing sides extending at least a portion of a length of the elongated body has a convex shape.

13. A system as in claim 8 , wherein the at least two lumens of the slidable guide device comprise:

a first lumen for sliding over the proximal portion of the facet guide device; and

a second lumen positioned proximate the first lumen for guiding and receiving the at least one instrument.

14. A system as in claim 8 , wherein the fixation device comprises at least one bone screw, and the at least one bone screw is advanced through the slideable guide device.

15. A system as in claim 8 , wherein the fixation device comprises a lateral mass screw or a pedicle screw.

16. A method for accessing and guiding at least one fixation device to adjacent vertebrae of a cervical spine via a posterior approach, the method comprising:

advancing a guide device into a facet between two adjacent vertebrae, the guide device comprising an elongated body comprising a distal portion comprising a chamfered or beveled end portion configured for insertion in a facet joint of the cervical spine; and a proximal shaft portion extending from the distal portion, and having a first set of opposing sides extending at least a portion of a length of the elongated body, and a shaped proximal end, wherein the shaped proximal end maximizes accessible lateral mass area and at least one side of the first set of opposing sides is complementary in shape to at least one of at least two lumens of a slidable guide device, the at least two lumens coupled together and having parallel and distinct central longitudinal axes, the slidable guide device configured to receive and guide a fixation device to the cervical spine and wherein the elongated body of the facet guide device decreases in height from the shaped proximal end to the distal portion along the length of the elongated body;

advancing a fixation device along the guide device; and

attaching the fixation device to at least one of the two adjacent vertebrae.

17. A method as in claim 16 , wherein attaching the fixation device comprises one of attaching a plate to a facet implant located in the facet or attaching a plate to the two adjacent vertebrae.