Method for interconnecting longitudinal members extending along a spinal column

1. A method of interconnecting first and second longitudinal members extending along a spinal column of a patient, said method comprising:

inserting an access port into a body of the patient, the access port having a recess in a distal portion;

moving a first fastener through the access port and securing the first fastener to a first vertebra of the spinal column;

moving a second fastener through the access port and securing the second fastener to a second vertebra of the spinal column;

moving the first longitudinal member through the access port and connecting the first longitudinal member to the first and second fasteners;

inserting a second access port into the body of the patient;

moving a third fastener through the second access port and securing the third fastener to the first vertebra of the spinal column;

extending an instrument through the recess and removing tissue to create a passage from one side of a mid-line of the spinal column to another side of the mid-line of the spinal column;

moving a transverse connector through the access port;

connecting a first end of the transverse connector to the first longitudinal member; and

connecting a second end of the transverse connector to the second longitudinal member.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 including expanding a portion of said access port.

3. A method as defined in claim 1 including expanding the distal portion of the access port.

4. A method as defined in claim 1 including covering the recess in the distal portion of the access port with a door.

5. A method as defined in claim 4 including pivoting the door relative to the access port to uncover the recess.

6. A method as defined in claim 1 including extending the transverse connector through the passage.

7. A method as defined in claim 1 including angling the access port obliquely.

8. A method as defined in claim 1 including connecting a tether to the transverse connector.

9. A method as defined in claim 8 including extending the tether through the access port and the passage from one side of a mid-line of the spinal column to another side of the mid-line of the spinal column.

10. A method as defined in claim 9 including pulling the tether through the passage to pull the transverse connector into the passage.

11. A method as defined in claim 10 including removing the tether from the transverse connector after the transverse connector is pulled into the passage.

12. A method as defined in claim 11 including inserting a second access port into the body of the patient and extending the tether through the second access port.

13. A method as defined in claim 1 including moving a fourth fastener through the second access port and securing the fourth fastener to the second vertebra of the spinal column.

14. A method as defined in claim 13 including moving the second longitudinal member through the second access port and connecting the second longitudinal member to the third and fourth fasteners.