System, instrumentation and method for spinal fixation using minimally invasive surgical techniques

A method of advancing a guide cable from a first pedicle screw tower to a second pedicle screw tower comprising the steps of:

• providing a guide cable threader device comprising a handle, a trigger mechanism disposed in said handle, an elongated shaft extending from said handle, said shaft having a curved free end, and a detachable curved lead member telescopically disposed in said free end of said elongated shaft, said lead member adapted to retain a guide cable, said lead member extendable from said free end of said elongated shaft upon actuation of said trigger mechanism;
• attaching a guide cable to said lead member and mounting said lead member to said free end of said shaft;
• inserting said shaft, said free end and said lead member into said first pedicle screw tower with said lead member facing said second pedicle screw tower;
• actuating said trigger mechanism to extend said lead member from said free end and into said second pedicle screw tower;
• grasping said lead member within said second pedicle tower, disconnecting said lead member from said free end, and pulling said lead member and said guide cable from said second pedicle screw tower;
• removing said shaft from said first pedicle screw tower;
• and
• re-attaching said lead member to said free end of said shaft.