Abstract: A diskectomy instrument includes an elongate body, a blade and a drive stem. The elongate body has a distal end, a proximal end, and a blade opening proximate the distal end. The blade is removably and movably mounted within the elongate body proximate the blade opening. The blade has a distal end, a proximal end, a sharp edge, a ramped portion and a stem mating portion. The drive stem is movably mounted within the elongate body and has a distal end, a proximal end and a blade mating portion. The drive stem is configured to slidably engage the blade when the drive stem is moved distally thereby extending the at least one blade radially outward though the at least one blade opening. The blade mating portion is configured to cooperatively engage the stem mating portion of the blade when the drive stem is moved proximally thereby retracting the blade.