A spinal implant system including a spinal rod, a first clasp and a second clasp, a connecting element having a head and a shank connecting the first and second clasps, a first fastener for fastening the body of the first clasp to the spinal rod, a second fastener for fastening the shank of the connecting element to the body of the first clasp and a retainer for retaining the second clasp onto the head of the connecting element so that the second clasp can disengage itself from the head only in a direction toward the first clasp. The first clasp is adapted to be fixed to the vertebrae by a hook thereon. The second clasp is adapted to be fixed to the vertebrae by a hook thereon.