Abstract An anterior fixation device (12) comprises an oval-shaped intervertebral spacer (13) and a retaining plate (17). The spacer (13) has a sidewall (11) and superior (25) and inferior walls (26). The superior (25) and inferior (26) walls are dome-shaped and porous to allow bone to grow through the device to achieve fusion of two adjacent vertebral bodies. Extending from the anterior side of the spacer are superior and inferior lips (14, 15) through which bone screws (16) extend. The bone screws (16) are non-weight bearing and screw into the strongest areas of bone within the vertebral bodies. The intervertebral spacer (13) is hollow inside to allow for bone grafts, bone morphogenic protein, or other bone stimulating substances to be inserted therein. The retaining plate (17) is attachable to the anterior surface of the spacer (13) to prevent the bone screws from backing out once the device is installed.