ObjectiveTo explore characteristics and risk factors for surgical site infection(SSI) in patients in the department of neurosurgery, so as to provide theoretical basis for prevention and control of SSI.MethodsClinical data of patients who were admitted to a department of neurosurgery from January to December 2015 were collected with retrospective survey method, SSI and risk factors in patients were analyzed.ResultsAmong 715 patients undergoing neurosurgery, 40(5.59%) had SSI. SSI mainly occurred in patients following cerebral vascular surgery, accounting for 7.69%, followed by patients following intracranial tumor surgery(5.94%). 40 patients were all with organ space/ intracranial infection. Difference in SSI in patients with different types of operation, duration of operation, length of hospital stay, and National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) scores were all significant(all P＜0.05).ConclusionIncidence of SSI in patients in the department of neurosurgery are related with operation type, duration of operation, length of hospital stay, and operation risk index, preventive measures should be taken to reduce the incidence of SSI.