Rod inserter and insertion tube

A method of securing a spinal rod to a coupling element attached with a pedicle screw, the method comprising:

• releasably retaining a spinal rod in a fixed position along a first axis within a slot defined between first and second arms at a distal end of a hollow, monolithic body of an insertion instrument, the body defining a passageway that extends along a first axis between a proximal end and the distal end, the retaining aperture extending along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the retaining aperture having a substantially circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the second axis, the slot further defining a channel extending proximally from the retaining aperture, the channel being configured to widen and return to a resting state;
• wherein each arm includes a protrusion defined by a point on the circular cross-section, the protrusions facing each other, wherein, when the instrument is in the resting state, the retaining aperture defines an inner diameter of the circular cross-section and the protrusions are separated by a first dimension perpendicular to the first axis, the inner diameter being larger than the first dimension such that the first and second arms releasably retain a spinal rod therebetween in a fixed position along the first axis when the spinal rod is located in the retaining aperture wherein a cross-section of the body in a plane perpendicular to the first axis forms a complete circle at a point along the first axis, wherein the first and second arms include chamfered edges at a distal end of the slot, the chamfered edges being separated by a second dimension perpendicular to the first axis, and wherein, when the instrument is in the resting state, the second dimension is larger than the inner diameter;
• and
• contacting the insertion instrument with a coupling element of a screw assembly including a pedicle screw to align the spinal rod within a channel of the coupling element.