Objective To analyze the risk factors for complications after cranioplasty, and to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of such complications after cranioplasty.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for 177 patients who were treated with cranioplasty in our hospital from January 2012 to August 2016. According to the presence or absence of complications after cranioplasty, the patients were divided into complication group and non-complication group. The incidence rates of postoperative complications were calculated, and the clinical data were compared between the two groups. The factors with statistical difference were included in the logistic regression analysis, and the risk factors for complications after cranioplasty were summarized.Results Of the 177 patients, 20 (11.30%) experienced complications, among whom 13 had subcutaneous hydrops, 4 had epilepsy, 2 had infection, and 1 had skin flap necrosis. The multivariate regression analysis showed that hydrocephalus and defect area ≥40 cm² were risk factors for the development of complications after cranioplasty, while titanium alloy repair material and operation interval <3 months were protective factors (P<0.05).Conclusions The incidence of complications after cranioplasty is closely associated with patients' disease status and surgical scheme. A focus on the treatment of preoperative comorbidities and scientific design of surgical scheme may help to reduce the risk of postoperative complications and improve patients' prognosis.