The retroperitoneal transpsoas approach (XLIF) is an approach to the lumbar spine (from L1 to L5) that can be applied in many lumbar spine pathologies whether degenerative, traumatic (fractures), deformities (scoliosis), or tumoural.

It involves a small incision on one side of the abdomen and passing through the abdominal muscles, without cutting them, only separating the fibres.

The immediate postoperative period does not usually require admission to the ICU or en the IVU, but this depends on the type of pathology treated.

The patient should be getting up and walking the next day and should wear a standard lumbar corset for 2 to 6 weeks depending on the type of surgery.

Complications are very rare (<5%).