Implementations described herein include surgical distraction devices having a distal movement assembly having a pusher plate comprising a first slot extending along a first axis disposed in a first side and a second slot extending along a second axis disposed in a second side thereof. The first axis is oriented at an angle of from about 60 to about 160 degrees from the second axis. The device further includes a first and second paddles, each paddle having a corresponding engagement mechanism for movably coupling the respective first or second paddle to the pusher plate when engaged in the respective slot. Rotational actuation of the proximal drive assembly causes proximal or distal movement of the pusher plate, causing the first and second engagement members to move relative to their respective slots, thereby moving the first paddle and the second paddle in opposing directions. Methods of using such surgical distraction devices to determine size of an intervertebral space are also described.