Lower preoperative albumin and a prolonged preoperative activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) are associated with postoperative infections, while a prolonged preoperative hospital stay (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.064; confidence interval (CI) = 1.002–1.112; P=0.042) and more intraoperative blood loss (>10%) (HR = 3.919; 95% CI = 1.024–14.995; P=0.046) were independent risk factors for postoperative infections. This evidence concerns the gene ALB and infection.