A surgical instrument for insertion of an interbody fusion implant between adjacent vertebral bodies. The surgical instrument comprises a frame member, and a first and a second arm coupled to the frame member. Each arm includes a distal end region and a proximal end region, whereby the proximal end region of at least one arm is pivotably coupled to the frame member, and the distal end region of each arm defines a distractor plate. The distractor plate of each arm is configured to be positioned in direct contact with a vertebral body. A wedge is positioned between the first and second arms, and is configured to translate the interbody fusion implant along an axis between the proximal end region and the distal end region of the arms while adjusting a distance between the distractor plates of the arms via a rack and pinion.