Objective  To explore the effect of prophylactic application of antibiotics on nosocomial infection in patients with cirrhosis and upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

  Methods  Totally 60 patients with cirrhosis and upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage were randomly divided into two groups, with 30 cases in each group. The observation group was given prophylactic application of antibiotics, while the control group was given routine supportive treatment. The hospital stay, incidence rate of rebleeding and nosocomial infection rate were compared between the two groups.

  Results  The incidence rates of nosocomial infection and rebleeding in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The hospital stay in the observation group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The content of nitric oxide after 24 hours of treatment in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  Prophylactic applicaton of antibiotics can reduce the incidence rates of rebleeding and nosocomial infection in patients with cirrhosis and upper gastrointestinal bleeding.