Abstract: An instrument and method for guiding a spinal implant from a location outside of a patient's body to a location adjacent an exposed portion of a bone anchor engaged to the patient's spine. The instrument is a guide rod having a connecting portion and a guiding portion disposed along a longitudinal axis, with the connecting portion having a shaped end portion adapted to releasably engage a corresponding shaped end portion of the bone anchor. The guiding portion slideably engages a spinal implant and guides the implant along the longitudinal axis until the implant is positioned adjacent the exposed portion of the bone anchor for fixation thereto. The guide rod is then selectively separated or detached from the bone anchor and removed from the patient's body. In one aspect of the invention, the guiding portion is at least partially formed of a malleable material, such as aluminum or a shape-memory material, to allow the guiding portion to be bent or reshaped.