Serum albumin is the most abundant protein in plasma, which has important physiological functions such as maintaining plasma colloid osmotic pressure, binding, transporting, regulating inflammatory response, antioxidation, and protecting blood vessels. Human serum albumin (HSA), as a blood product, is currently the main means of supplementing serum albumin in clinical practice. This article elaborates on the role and existing controversies of serum albumin levels and infusion of human serum albumin (perioperative application) in infection related complications, especially surgical site infections. It reviews relevant research progress in order to provide new directions and ideas for subsequent research and guide the perioperative application of human serum albumin.