A surgical fixation system including a pair of spinal rods, an occipital fixation element (comprising either an occipital plate or a plurality of occipital anchors), a crosslink connector, and a plurality of anchor elements, including but not limited to friction-fit pedicle screws, favored-angle pedicle screws, and laminar hooks. Any or all of these elements may be made of a biologically inert material, preferably any metal customarily used for surgical devices, such as for example titanium or stainless steel. The surgical fixation system of the present invention is described herein for application to the posterior region of the human spine, for attachment to cervical and/or thoracic vertebrae, as well as the occiput portion of the skull.