Prophylactic Antibiotics in the Endoscopic Secondary Prevention of Cirrhotic Patients With Varices: a Retrospective Study

The Use of Prophylactic Antibiotics in the Endoscopic Secondary Prevention of Cirrhotic Patients With Gastoesophageal Varices: a Retrospective Study

Whether prophylactic antibiotics should be administered in the endoscopic secondary prevention of GVB or not is unclear. In this retrospective study, we are aimed to evaluate whether prophylactic antibiotics confer advantages in the endoscopic secondary prevention of cirrhotic patients with gastroesophageal varices.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Cirrhotic patients with a history of gastroesophageal variceal bleeding who were readmitted for elective endoscopic treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

• (1) Age < 18 or ≥ 81 years; (2) Allergy to cephalosporin; (3) Agranulocytosis (neutrophil count < 0.5 × 10^9/L); (4) Massive ascites; and (5) Signs of bacteria infection.

Withdraw Criteria:（1）Transferred to other department for additional treatment after the endoscopic operation (Surgical department for malignant tumor, Interventional radiology department for splenic embolism or transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, etc.). （2）Lost to follow-up