Abstract: OBJECTIVE To analyze the incidence and risk factors of surgical site infection (SSI) in neurosurgical patients in a tertiary first-class hospital, and provide reference for the prevention and control of SSI. METHODS The clinical data of patients who underwent craniotomy in the department of neurosurgery of a hospital from Jan. 2017 to Dec. 2017 were surveyed retrospectively. The contents of the investigation included: the patient's general situation, underlying diseases, operation information, intracranial infections, etc. The related risk factors for SSI were analyzed by unconditional Logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Among the 536 patients who underwent craniotomy, 52 (9.70%) had SSI. Logistic regression analysis showed that posterior fossa surgery, lumbar cisterna drainage, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, operation time>4ｈ, and long-term drainage were independent risk factors for SSI after craniotomy(all P＜0.05). CONCLUSION There are multiple risk factors for SSI after craniotomy. It is necessary to pay close attention and formulate preventive measures, so as to effectively reduce the occurrence of SSI.