Abstract: A surgical wire is part of a system that includes a retractor blade defining one or more paths for the surgical wire to follow. The paths can be one or more openings, cannulations, paths, tubes, other structures, or combinations thereof. The surgical wire can be routed through the front, back, and/or middle of the retractor blade and into a vertebral body. The surgical wire can be routed through a shim in communication with the retractor blade and into a vertebral body Systems and methods are used to insert surgical wires into bone. Systems and methods are used for removing surgical wires from bone. Systems include those for gripping and pulling or pushing surgical wires. Systems include those that interact with a retractor (e.g., an arm, body, or blade thereof) to facilitate removal of the surgical wire.

Abstract: A retractor includes retractor blades and one or more shims coupled to one or more of the retractor blades. The shims can include features configured to fasten the shim to vertebral anatomy. Such features can facilitate the use a K-wire or barbed features. Example disclosed shim designs include those featuring a K-wire feature, a barbed feature, and a K-wire with barb design.

Abstract: A retractor includes retractor blades and one or more shims coupled to one or more of the retractor blades. The shims can include features configured to fasten the shim to vertebral anatomy. Such features can facilitate the use a K-wire or barbed features. Example disclosed shim designs include those featuring a K-wire feature, a barbed feature, and a K-wire with barb design.