Infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN), which often leads to severe sepsis, organ failure and even death, is one of the most severe complications of acute pancreatitis. In recent years, with the advancements of treatment concepts and technologies of acute pancreatitis, the overall mortality of IPN has declined. However, the diagnosis, especially the early diagnosis of IPN, is still very difficult, and there still exists some controversies on the timing, methods and strategies for the intervention of IPN. Moreover, as the diagnosis and treatment of IPN often involve multidisciplinary cooperation, it is crucial to unify the understanding and take full advantage of the multidisciplinary team. Through literature review combined with introduction of the practical experience gained in the author's own center, this paper systematically elaborates the advancements in terms of the diagnosis, microbiological changes and treatment of IPN.