Either sufentanil or fentanyl, in addition to intrathecal bupivacaine, provide satisfactory early labour analgesia

Purpose: The study was aimed primarily at comparing the duration of analges ia produced by intrathecal fentanyl 25 mug with sufentanil 5 mug when added to bupivacaine 1.25 mg as the initial component of the combined spinal epi dural (CSE) technique in early labour. Methods: Forty healthy parturients were randomly assigned into two groups t o receive either intrathecal sufentanil 5 mug plus bupivacaine 1.25 mg (Gro up S) or intrathecal fentanyl 25 mug plus bupivacine 1.25 mg (Group F). Apa rt from the duration of analgesia, pain scores and side effects were also e valuated. Results: There was no significant difference in the duration of analgesia ( mean 109 +/- SD 49 min in Group F vs 118 +/- 54 min in Group S, P=0.9). Gro up F had a more rapid onset of analgesia (P <0.05) and a higher cephalad bl ock (median T4 vs T7, P <0.05) in the first 30 min after the block. No diff erence in the side effects was detected. Conclusion: Fentanyl 25 mug is a good alternative to sufentanil 5 mug when added to bupivacaine 1.25 mg for early labour analgesia.