Methods and systems for performing spinal surgery

1. A method of performing spinal surgery, the method comprising:

delivering a first bone anchor to a first vertebra,

coupling a first structure having a lumen to the first bone anchor, wherein the lumen includes a longitudinal axis and is in communication with a longitudinal slot of the first structure;

delivering a second bone anchor to a second vertebra,

coupling an end portion of a spinal fixation element to the first bone anchor,

moving a portion of the spinal fixation element through the longitudinal slot such that the spinal fixation element pivots about the end portion from a first position generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lumen to a second position which spans from the first bone anchor to the second bone anchor.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising forming a pathway between the first bone anchor and the second bone anchor.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising aligning the longitudinal slot to allow a portion of the spinal fixation element to penetrate the slot.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising coupling a second structure having a second lumen to the second bone anchor, wherein the second lumen is in communication with a second longitudinal slot of the second structure.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising aligning the first and second slots such that the spinal fixation element can intersect both the first and second slots.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein during the moving step, the condition where said spinal fixation element pivots further comprises advancing a portion of a spinal fixation element through the second slot.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein during the moving step, the condition where said spinal fixation element pivots further comprises advancing a portion of a spinal fixation element through the slot.