Systems and methods for calculating an insertion point and a path for a rod are provided. A surgical plan having at least one image and information about a position of at least one tower may be received. The at least one image may depict a surgical region. A soft tissue portion and at least one anatomical element may be identified in the at least one image. An insertion point and a path from the insertion point to the at least one tower may be calculated based on the identified soft tissue portion and at least one anatomical element. The rod may be inserted at the insertion point and along the path.