Abstract: Objective To investigate the value of peritoneal lavage in the treatment of cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis( SBP). Methods Eighty- six cirrhotic patients with SBP who were admitted to the Department of Infection in our hospital from February 2010 to February 2013 were selected and randomly divided into treatment group( n = 46) and control group( n = 40). The two groups were both treated with intravenous antibiotic therapy,therapeutic paracentesis,and intravenous plasma and albumin. Meanwhile,the treatment group received peritoneal lavage with warm saline,and intraperitoneal antibiotic administration. The curative effects were compared between the two groups. Categorical data were expressed as percentage and compared between the two groups by chi- square test. Results The response rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group( 79. 09% vs 14. 50%,χ2= 7. 4836,P <0. 05). The case- fatality rate in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group( 17. 39% vs 37. 50 %,χ2=4. 4159,P < 0. 05). Conclusion Peritoneal lavage is an effective method in the treatment of cirrhotic patients with SBP.