A comparison between low-dose ropivacaine and bupivacaine at equianalgesicconcentrations for epidural analgesia during the first stage of labor

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, onset and duration of a nalgesia of two equianalgesic epidural doses of ropivacaine and bupivacaine during the first stage of labor. The study included 190 healthy nulliparou s parturients who presented spontaneous onset of labor and required epidura l analgesia. They were divided randomly to receive epidural analgesia with an initial dose 0.10% ropivacaine or 0.0625% bupivacaine 20 mt both with th e addition of 10 mu g of sufentanil. There were no significant differences in onset time, quality of analgesia, maternal hypotension and ability to am bulate. Ropivacaine produced more prolonged analgesia then bupivacaine (89 vs 119 min; P<0.0003). The clinical value of this prolonged analgesia after the first dose needs further evaluation when a continuous infusion techniq ue is used. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.