Back ground: Surgical site infections (SSI)following breast cancer surgery remain a significant cause of morbidity with the use of single dose pre-operative antibiotic prophylaxis. As a result the use of peri-operative antibiotics is common and unregulated, with no knowledge of the infection outcomes with their use. Objectives: To establish the SSI outcomes with the use of peri-operative antibiotic prophylaxis, evaluate the common risk factors for SSI development and assess for other important outcomes following breast cancer surgery. Methods: A prospective surveillance study for patients undergoing breast cancer surgery using the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) system. Analysis: Analysis for the rates of surgical site infections and the prevalence of common risk factors for SSI development and their importance Outcomes: An SSI rate of 6% was observed using peri-antibiotic prophylaxis and a strict surveillance protocol. This was significantly reduced rate compared with other studies of antibiotic prophylaxis. The most significant risk factors for SSI in the study population were age >65 years, obesity and diabetes. Seroma formation, shoulder dysfunction and medial upper arm numbness were the other surgical complications noted.