Patent ID: 8043343

Claim:
A spinal stabilization surgical method comprising: forming an incision at a desired site through skin of a patient; forming a first assembly, the first assembly comprising: a first bone fastener; a first collar coupled to the first bone fastener; and a first sleeve removably coupled to the first collar; wherein the first bone fastener is fastened to a first vertebra, wherein the first sleeve extends through the incision when the first bone fastener is fastened to the first vertebra; forming a second assembly, the second assembly comprising: a second bone fastener; a second collar coupled to the second bone fastener; and a second sleeve removably coupled to the second collar; positioning the first assembly in the incision; positioning a dilator in the incision to displace tissue proximate to the first sleeve, wherein the dilator is positioned so that more tissue is displaced on a first side of the first sleeve than on a second side of the first sleeve, wherein positioning the dilator in the incision includes placing the dilator over the first sleeve and moving the dilator along the first sleeve into the incision, wherein the dilator comprises: a first opening a first diameter; a second opening having a second diameter that is different than the first diameter; and a working channel running from the first opening to the second opening; moving at least a first portion of an elongated member into the working channel; moving the first portion of the elongated member to the second assembly; seating the first portion of the elongated member in the second collar; and seating a second portion of the elongated member in the first collar.