An implantation apparatus for preparing adjacent vertebral bodies to
receive an intervertebral implant including a plurality of keels. The
implantation apparatus includes an elongated handle portion, and a
template portion carried at a distal end of the handle portion
substantially perpendicularly to the handle portion. The template portion
defines a plurality of open channels corresponding in position and shape
of the plurality of keels. Each channel is positioned and shaped for
preparing a vertebral opening to receive a corresponding keel.