The OLIF technique developed in Europe during the 1990s from variations of the approach used for anterior lumbar interbody fusion[^1]. The scalability of the approach allows fusion procedures, vertebral body replacement, disc replacement, and revision procedures. Analogous to the ALIF technique, decompression of the spinal canal is possible. Unlike ALIF, the retroperitoneal approach is facilitated by gravitational retraction of the peritoneal sac.
Figure
