Effects of patient-controlled epidural analgesia with ropivacaine on prolactin level after cesarean section

Objective:To observe the effects of patient-controlled epidural analgesia(PCEA) with ropivacaine on plasma prolactin level after cesarean section.Methods:68 parturients undergoing elective cesarean section under epidural anesthesia were randomly allocated to PCEA group(n=35) and control group(n=33).In PCEA group,epidural 0.15% ropivacaine was administered at rate of 2 ml/h with bolus dose of 5 ml,and 2 ml/push at a 30 min interval after the cesarean section.Pethidine was injected intramuscularly when post-operative pain appeared in the control group without post-operative analgesia.The plasma prolactin level was determined with radioimmunoassay before the operation and 24 h after operation.Results:1.The colostrum secretion in PCEA group was more early than that in the control group(P0.05);2.The level of plasma prolactin in both groups increased significantly 24 h after the operation compared with that before the operation(P0.01),and it was higher in PCEA group than that in the control group(P0.05);3.The level of prolactin in the colostrum was higher significantly 2 to 3 days after the operation in PCEA group than that in the control group(P0.05).Conclusion:Epidural PCEA with ropivacaine can increase the level of prolactin in plasma and colostrums and make colostrums come earlier,which is benefit for lactation.