Ropivacaine combined with sufentanil for patient-controlled epidural analgesia during labor

Objective To investigate the effect of epidural analgesia with ropivacaine combined with sufentanil during the first stage of labor.Methods One hundred and twenty patients (ASA class Ⅰ or Ⅱ) undergoing labor were randomly divided into three groups with 40 cases each. Group A received sufentanil 0.2 μg/L+0.1% ropivacaine mesilate + 100 ml normal saline for PCEA, group B with fentanily 2 μg/L+0.1% ropivacaine mesilate+100 ml normal saline,and group N received no analgesia as the control.The analgesia effects were evaluated by visual analogy score (VAS) and modfied Bromage score. The labor process, model of delivery, Apgar score of neonates, amount of oxytocin required, and side effcts such as nausea and vomiting were also recorded.Results Both group A and B showed good pain relief, VAS in group A was significantly lower than that in group B at 5 min after PCEA. The incidence of pruritus and the amount of oxytocin required in group N was less than that in group A and B.There was no significant difference in the duration of labor process, model of delivery and neonates Apgar score among three groups.Conclusion Ropivacaine combined with sufentanil or fentanyl is suitable for PCEA during labor.