Comparison of sufentanil and fentanyl incombination with ropivaeaine in patient-controlled epidural analgesia for post-cesarean section

Objective To compare and investigate the efficiency and side effects of different doses of sufentanil or fentanyl in combination with ropivacaine in PCEA for post-cesarean section analgesia. Methods In this double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, ASA I or II parturients (n=80) with elective cesarean section were randomly assigned to four groups to receive different doses of sufentanil or fentanyl in combination with 0.2% ropivacaine for PCEA postoperatively: Group RF1 (fentanyl 2μg/ml with 0.2% ropivacaine; n=20); Group RS1 (sufentanil 0.2μg/ml with 0.2% ropivacaine; n= 20); Group RF2 (fentanyl 4μg/ml with 0.2% ropivacaine; n=20); Group RS2 (sufentanil 0.4μg/ml with 0.2% ropivacaine; n=20). VAS, modified Bromage scales and the consumption of ropivacaine were recorded at before and 2, 4 and 24 hours after PCEA started. Complications and side effects were charted if occurred. Results VAS of Group RS2 significantly decreased compared with other groups at 2 hours after PCEA started (P﹤0.01). The delivery frequency of PCEA and the ropivacaine consumption in 24 hours after PCEA started were significantly decreased in Group RS2 compared with other groups (P ﹤ 0.01 and P ﹤ 0.05 respectively). The modified Bromage scale and the incidence of side effects had no significant difference among four groups. Conclusions Sufentanil 0.4μg/ml in combination with 0.2% ropivacaine, compared with other three groups, can provide better postoperative pain control for cesarean section through PCEA, meanwhile decrease the ropivacaine consumption and the delivery frequency.