Objective To investigate the therapeutic method of extensive abdominal adhesion and organ edema ("frozen abdomen" status) with severe retroperitoneal infection. Methods The treatment measures, therapeutic course and characteristics of 21 patients with retroperitoneal infection complicated with sepsis under "frozen abdomen" status admitted to Rizhao Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from 2004 to 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, inductive therapeutic measure and characteristics and the clinical efficacy and prognosis were also observed. Results In 21 cases, 19 cases were cured clinically, 1 case died of massive hemorrhage and 1 case died of multiple organ failure (MOF). In the 8 cases, abdominal cavity opening were performed, no exposure of intestinal fistula occurred, although the abdominal wall hernias were left behind in 6 cases and pancreatic pseudo-cyst was formed in 1 case. The patients total time of hospitalization was (61.0±10.5) days, and the stay in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) was (28±5) days. Conclusion In the comprehensive treatments, the multi-form flushing drainages were the core of effective means to control the severe retroperitoneal infection.