Abstract: A system for drilling a bore in adjacent vertebrae to facilitate the insertion of a fusion implant includes a surgical retractor having a sleeve member with proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal opening and a drill instrument positionable within the longitudinal opening of the surgical retractor. The retractor is configured for insertion at least partially into an intervertebral space between adjacent opposed vertebrae to distract the adjacent vertebrae to a desired predetermined distracted position. At least one anchoring member may be associated with the surgical retractor to facilitate mounting thereof to the vertebrae. The drill instrument includes an elongate member having a longitudinal passageway and defining at least one distal cutting surface and a drill member disposed within the elongate member and having a distal drill head.