ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI) in patients after colorectal surgery, in order to provide a basis for regulation and implementation of preventive measures against SSI. MethodsFrom February to December 2012, a targeted surveillance on surgical site infection of "colon resection" and "rectum resection" surgery patients in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery was carried out. We analyzed the monitoring data, and explored the occurrence of postoperative SSI. At the same time, by case-control study, both single and multiple regression logistic analyses were performed on the 12 variables such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus duration during operation, America Society of Anesthesiologists score, grade of incision and so on to analyze the risk factors for SSI. ResultsAmong the 535 patients who underwent colorectal resections, 44 had SSI with an infection rate of 8.22%. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the length of hospital stay[OR=1.070,95%CI(1.033,1.109), P<0.001]and emergency surgery[OR=6.320,95%CI(1.932,20.669),P=0.002] were independent risk factors for SSI after colorectal resections. ConclusionThere are many risk factors for SSI after colorectal surgery. Through the implementation of targeted surveillance, we can find the main risk factors, which provides a basis for the regulation and implementation of intervention measures against SSI.