The invention relates to a preparation device for preparing an intervertebral disc compartment (14) which is delimited by a first and a second vertebra (16, 18). Such a preparation is carried out prior to the insertion of an intervertebral disc prosthesis (110), in order to guarantee a correct positioning of the intervertebral disc prosthesis between the vertebrae (16, 18). The preparation device (10) comprises a reference frame (22), which is capable of being fastened above an operating table (12), and a first fixing element (58) which is capable of being rigidly connected to the first vertebra (16) are capable of being fastened to the reference frame (22) in varying first positions. A second fixing element (68) is capable of being rigidly connected to the second vertebra (18) and capable of being fastened to the reference frame (22) in varying second positions. A material-abrading tool (78) is capable of being fastened to the reference frame (22), preferably in varying positions.