Objective To determine the relationship between preoperative prognostic inflammatory and nutritional index (PINI) value and short-term prognosis in colorectal cancer. Methods Patients with colorectal cancer verified by pathologically examine were prospectively enrolled from April 2009 to June 2009. Serum alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, C-reactive protein, albumin and prealbumin were examined on day 3 before operation, and the value of preoperative PINI was calculated. The relationships between preoperative PINI and patho-TNM stage, complications, quality of life, and recurrence and metastasis after operation were analyzed. Results Total 38 patients with colorectal cancer underwent radical surgery were enrolled. Preoperative PINI value was 2.17±1.27. Preoperative PINI value was correlated with TMN stage and M stage: PINI value in patients of Ⅳ stage or M1 stage, were significantly higher than those in ones of Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ stage （P＜0.001） or M0 stage （P＜0.001）. There was no significant correlation between preoperative PINI value and preoperative complications （Pgt;0.05）. Preoperative PINI value was correlated with postoperative diet, anorexia and overall quality of life: preoperative PINI value in patients with abnormal diet, anorexia or poor quality of life, were significantly higher than those in ones with normal diet (P=0.020), no-anorexia (P=0.020) or moderate (P=0.025) and well (P=0.020) quality of life. Conclusion Preoperative PINI value is an effective index to assess the short-term prognosis of colorectal cancer.