Method for interconnecting longitudinal members extending along a spinal column

1. A method of inserting an elongate member for connecting vertebrae of a patient, said method comprising:

inserting a first access device into a body of the patient at a first location;

inserting a second access device into the body of the patient at a second location;

passing a first end of a pulling member through the first access device and out of the second access device such that the first end of the pulling member extends from the second access device and outside the body while a second end of the pulling member extends from the first access device and outside the body;

removably attaching an elongate member to the second end of the pulling member;

pulling the first end of the pulling member thereby pulling the elongate member through the first access device; and

connecting the elongate member to first and second vertebrae.

2. The method of claim 1 , further including expanding a portion of the first and second access devices.

3. The method of claim 1 , further including expanding a distal portion of the first and second access devices.

4. The method of claim 1 , further including extending an instrument through the first access device and removing tissue to create a passage from one side of a mid-line of a spinal column to another side of the mid-line of the spinal column.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the step of passing the pulling member includes passing the pulling member through the first access device, across the passage from one side of the mid-line of the spinal column to the side of the mid-line of the spinal column, and out the second access device.

6. The method of claim 5 , further including pulling the pulling member through the passage to pull the elongate member into the passage.

7. The method of claim 1 , further including angling the first and second access devices obliquely.

8. The method of claim 1 , further including moving a first fastener through the first access device and securing the first fastener to the first vertebra.

9. The method of claim 8 , further including moving a second fastener through the first access device and securing the second fastener to the second vertebra.

10. The method of claim 9 , further including moving a first longitudinal member through the first access device and connecting the first longitudinal member to the first and second fasteners.

11. The method of claim 10 including moving a third fastener through the second access device and securing the third fastener to the first vertebra.

12. The method of claim 11 , further including moving a fourth fastener through the second access device and securing the fourth fastener to the second vertebra.

13. The method of claim 12 , further including moving a second longitudinal member through the second access device and connecting the second longitudinal member to the third and fourth fasteners.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of connecting the elongate member to first and second vertebrae includes connecting the elongate member to the first and second longitudinal members.

15. The method of claim 1 , further including providing a distal portion of the first access device with an opening, wherein the pulling member and elongate member are passed through the opening.

16. The method of claim 15 , further including covering the opening in the distal portion of the access device with a door.

17. The method of claim 16 , further including pivoting the door relative to the access device to uncover the opening.

18. A method of inserting an elongate member for connecting vertebrae of a patient, said method comprising:

inserting a first access device into a body of the patient at a first location;

inserting a second access device into the body of the patient at a second location;

passing an elongate flexible pulling member through the first access device and out of the second access device such that the pulling member extends from outside the body, through the first and second access devices and outside the body;

removably attaching an elongate member to one end of the pulling member;

pulling the other end of the pulling member thereby pulling the elongate member through the first access device; and

connecting the elongate member to first and second vertebrae.

19. The method of claim 18 , further including expanding distal portions of the first and second access devices.

20. The method of claim 19 , further including extending an instrument through the first access device and removing tissue to create a passage from one side of a mid-line of a spinal column to another side of the mid-line of the spinal column, wherein the step of pulling the pulling member includes pulling the elongate member into the passage.