INTRATHECAL SUFENTANIL (5 VS. 10 MU-G) FOR LABOR ANALGESIA - EFFICACYAND SIDE-EFFECTS

Background and Objectives. Despite growing popularity, there are few s tudies examining the relative efficacy of different doses of intrathec al sufentanil for labor analgesia. This prospective, randomized, doubl e-blind study compared the efficacy and side effects of 5 and 10 mu g intrathecal sufentanil. Methods. Sixty-three healthy, laboring, term p arturients less than or equal to 5 cm cervical dilation participated i n this study. In a randomized, double-blind fashion, patients received 5 or 10 mu g intrathecal sufentanil as part of a combined spinal epid ural technique. Patients rated pain, itching, nausea, and sedation on verbal analog scales before and every 10 minutes after drug injection. We also recorded maternal blood pressure and peripheral oxygen satura tion before and every 10 minutes after drug injection. Before and 30 a nd 60 minutes after drug injection, we measured maternal end-tidal CO2 . Results. Both doses of sufentanil provided adequate analgesia. Altho ugh 10 mu g sufentanil produced slightly more profound analgesia, the duration of pain relief did not differ between the two groups. Both dr ug doses were associated with significant increases in itching and end -tidal CO2. The 10-mu g dose was associated with more sedation and a g reater decrease in SaO(2). Conclusions. Both 5 and 10 mu g intrathecal sufentanil provided adequate labor analgesia. Both doses were associa ted with measurable spinal (itching) and supraspinal (sedation, respir atory depression) side effects.