Objective To analyze the risk factors associated with intracranial infection after craniocerebral surgery, and to provide evidence for reducing intracranial infection after craniocerebral surgery. Methods The literatures related to intracranial infections after craniocerebral surgery included in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopuss, Karger, EBSCO+ Medline, Embase, China Knowledge Network, Wanfang, and Weipu Database were retrieved. The search time was from 2009 to 2018. The literature was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale(NOS)scale and the data was analyzed using STATA12. 0. Results Thirty eligible studies were eventually included in a total of 36 773 patients. The analysis showed that risk factors for intracranial infection after craniocerebral surgery included incision type, secondary surgery, postoperative GCS score, postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage, operative time, and intraoperative indwelling drainage. Age, diabetes, preventive use of antibiotics, surgical sites, and emergency surgery were not associated with intracranial infection. Perioperative use of hormones and intracranial infections after craniocerebral surgery were controversial. Conclusion Avoiding reoperation, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, unnecessary drainage, and shortening the operation time will help reduce the incidence of intracranial infection. For patients with contaminated incision and postoperative GCS of less than 8 points, it is necessary to be alert to intracranial infection after craniocerebral operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]