Fig. 1From: Treatment for thoracic ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament with posterior circumferential decompression: complications and managementsThe illustration of the surgical procedure. a The lamina was cut along the axis of the both sides of the small joints using a high-speed burr, like “lifting the lid”. b The dura mater and PLL at the front and tissues within the vertebral column was exposed. c A burr was used to remove 1/3 of the back of the injured vertebral body. d A nerve dissector was used to separate the ossified PLL or make it suspending. e The resected posterior accessory bone was used as a graft to implant on the outer posterior side for fusion and internal fixationBack to article page