Systems (10) for positioning a connecting element (90) adjacent the spinal column in minimally invasive procedures include installation instruments (20) that guide the connecting element (90) from a location remote from one or more anchors (100) to a location proximate to the one or more anchors (100). The installation instruments (20) include extensions (130) mountable to anchors (100) engageable to the spinal column or other bony structure, and inserters (24) mountable to the anchor extensions (130) for positioning the connecting element (90) adjacent the anchors (100).
