ObjectiveTo understand the status of surgical site infection(SSI) in department of cardiothoracic surgery, analyze the characteristics and influencing factors of SSI, and provide evidence for the prevention of SSI. MethodsA prospective monitoring method was used to investigate the medical records of patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery in a hospital from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015, operation status and SSI of patients were monitored, risk factors for SSI were analyzed. ResultsA total of 1 953 surgery patients were investigated, 31 had SSI, incidence of SSI was 1.59%. Logistic regression analysis showed that length of hospital stay, malignant tumor, duration of indwelling drainage tube, and long length of operation were independent risk factors for SSI, OR(95%)CI were 8.48(1.12-63.98), 3.99(1.15-13.83), 2.54(1.07-6.02), and 2.11(1.01-4.39) respectively, (all P<0.05). ConclusionSSI prevention measures should be taken according to risk factors of SSI, so as to reduce the incidence of SSI.