Ep. Vandermeulen et al., LABOR PAIN RELIEF USING BUPIVACAINE AND SUFENTANIL - PATIENT-CONTROLLED EPIDURAL ANALGESIA VERSUS INTERMITTENT INJECTIONS, European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, 59, 1995, pp. 47-54
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.