Objective To explore the efficacy of circular wound edge protector(CWEP)in preventing surgical site infection (SSI)following open abdominal surgery,analyze the related risk factors for postoperative SSI,and provide scientific basis for preventing SSI following open abdominal surgery.Methods 162 patients who underwent open abdominal surgery in a hospital from March 2014 to December 2015 were randomly divided into intervention group (used CWEP during surgery)and control group (used sterile gauze pad to protect incision).Length of hospital stay,cost of dressing change,and SSI between two groups were compared,risk factors for postoperative SSI were analyzed.Results Incidence of SSI in intervention group was lower than control group (14.81%[12/81]vs 34.57%[28/81],P <0.05);grade-A incision healing rate of intervention group was higher than control group(86.42% vs 66.67%,P <0.05).The cost of dressing change in intervention group was lower than control group([305.5 ± 176.7]yuan vs [431.6 ± 381.4 ]yuan,P = 0.008 ). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that hypoproteinemia(OR,2.88[95%CI ,1.21-6.87]),body mass index ≥24(OR,3.11[95%CI ,1.12-8.66]),and blood loss≥400 mL(OR,3.98[95%CI ,1.36- 11.64])were independent risk factors for postoperative SSI,while CWEP use was the protective factor(OR,0.24[95%CI ,0.09-0.59]).Conclusion CWEP can effectively reduce the incidence of SSI following open abdominal surgery.