CONTINUOUS EXTRADURAL INFUSION OF ROPIVACAINE 2 MG ML(-1) FOR PAIN RELIEF DURING LABOR

We have assessed the dose-response relationship of a solution of ropiv acaine 2 mg ml(-1), given as a continuous extradural infusion to women in labour. A total of 133 parturients were allocated randomly to one of four groups to receive a fixed rate ropivacaine infusion of 4, 6, 8 or 10 ml h(-1) with additional bolus doses as necessary. Contraction pain, quality of analgesia, sensory block, motor block and neonatal Ap gar scores were assessed. There were no significant differences betwee n groups in terms of analgesia or motor block, although significantly more bolus doses were required by the group receiving 4 ml h(-1) (P < 0.05 compared with the other groups), and a significantly higher total dose of ropivacaine was administered to the 10-ml h(-1) group compare d with the 6-ml h(-1) group (P = 0.044). There were no significant dif ferences between groups in terms of obstetric or neonatal outcome. We conclude that ropivacaine 2 mg ml(-1) was effective and well tolerated when given as a continuous extradural infusion at 6-8 ml h(-1) and ma y be used as the sole analgesic during labour.