A retractor system and related methods for use in spinal surgery procedures, including but not limited to fusing or repairing damaged or deteriorated intervertebral discs or vertebral bodies in the lower lumbar levels. The retractor system includes a plurality of blade assemblies coupled to a handle assembly, wherein each of the blade assemblies may be independently adjusted (e.g. length blade and/or blade angulation and/or blade rotation relative to the handle assembly) to provide unprecedented customization of an operative corridor extending to the surgical target site of the patient such that any number of spinal surgery procedures may be undertaken by a surgeon, including but not limited to spinal fusion procedures at the L5-81 disc space.