 After the muscle was dissected off the lamina laterally on the left side, self retaining retractors were placed and after hemostasis was achieved, a Penfield probe was placed in the interspace presumed to be C5-6 and another cross table lateral x-ray of the C spine was taken. 
After the muscle was dissected off the lamina laterally on the left side , self retaining retractors were placed and after hemostasis was achieved , a Penfield probe was placed in the interspace presumed to be C5 - 6 and another cross table lateral x - ray of the C spine was taken .