LABOR PAIN RELIEF USING BUPIVACAINE AND SUFENTANIL - PATIENT-CONTROLLED EPIDURAL ANALGESIA VERSUS INTERMITTENT INJECTIONS

Objectives: To determine whether the use of patient-controlled epidura l analgesia (PCEA) versus intermittent injections (CIT) resulted in lo cal anesthetic dose reduction. Study Design: PCEA and CIT using a mixt ure of 0.125% bupivacaine with sufentanil 1 or 0.75 mu g/ml were compa red in 60 and 195 parturients, respectively. Assessments included pain scores, local anesthetic consumption, degree of motor blockade, type of delivery and neonatal outcome. Statistical analysis was done using Student's I test and Chi-squares. Results: PCEA and CIT provided effec tive analgesia during labor and delivery. A higher dose of opioid sign ificantly reduced the use of local anesthetic solution in PCEA-patient s. There was no difference in motor blockade, type of delivery and neo natal outcome. Conclusion: Patient-controlled epidural analgesia is an effective, safe and acceptable alternative to conventional intermitte nt epidural injections for pain relief during labor and delivery.