DESFLURANE ANALGESIA FOR VAGINAL DELIVERY

The use of subanaesthetic concentration of inhalational anaesthetic fo r vaginal delivery offers many advantages to the mother and newborn. D esflurane, with the characteristics of rapid onset and minimal metabol ism, may provide better analgesia and safety for labour pain control. Eighty, healthy parturients were randomly assigned to receive either d esflurane 1.0-4.5% and oxygen (n=40) or nitrous oxide 30-60% in oxygen (n=40). Analgesia was assessed using a score From 0 (no relief) to 4 (excellent analgesia), amnesia for the delivery, blood loss were reco rded. Neonates were evaluated by Apgar scores and neurologic and adapt ive capacity scores (NACS). Data were analyzed for statistical signifi cance using Student's t-test or Chi-square when appropriate. Analgesia scores were similar for both groups with more amnesia in desflurane g roup (23% vs 0% P<0.05). Blood loss did not differ significantly 364 m l for the desflurane group and 335 ml for the nitrous oxide group. The re were no significant differences for neonatal Apgar score at 1 min o r at 5 min or the NACS at 2 hr or 24 hr between the two groups. We con clude that desflurane in subanaesthetic doses is safe and effective in halation agent for normal delivery but might be associated with amnesi a.