Abstract: For cervical surgery, the neck of the patient is lifted and arched slightly upwardly with the head being supported beyond the end of an operating table. The anterior spacing between the vertebrae of the patient's cervical spine is increased, thereby affording better surgical access.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for implanting an intracranial device along a predetermined axis into the skull. A support has a bore which is axially alignable on the axis. A drill bit, screwdriver, cannula, and interacranial device are sequentially received in and guided through the bore for drilling an opening in the skull, securing a skull bolt in the opening, inserting a cannula in the opening, and inserting an intracranial device through the cannula in precisely guided movement on the axis. The support and cannula can be removed laterally from the device once in place, to avoid disconnecting an electrical lead to the device.