A method of fixing vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes the following steps: inserting a first cannula (10) into the body (130) of the patient moving a first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) to a first vertebrae (601) moving a second fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the second fastener (624) to a second vertebrae (602) moving a first fixation element (650) through the cannula (10) and fixing the first fixation element (650) to the first and second fasteners (624).