Video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement (VARD) is a feasible, minimally invasive necrosectomy method for treating severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis, if it does not resolve or is accompanied with infected necrosis in the retroperitoneum. As there are rarely any visually clear separating surface in white light image between necrotic debris and adjacent inflammatory normal tissues due to extensive retroperitoneal adhesions, VARD is accompanied with the risk of vascular injury, external pancreatico-cutaneous or enterocutaneous fistulae. In view of the above disadvantages, we apply real-time intraoperative near-infrared fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green (ICG) during VARD, which enables visualization of the well-perfused adjacent normal tissues. This modified technique (ICG-guided VARD) can provide a clear separating surface during debridement and reduce the risk of vascular or enteric injury. ICG-guided VARD may facilitate surgeons to perform safer debridement in treating severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis.