Effect of patient controlled epidural analgesia on plasma prolactin level after cesarean section

Objective:To study the effect of patient controlled epidural analgesia(PCEA) on plasma prolactin leval after cesarean section.Methods:Eighty healthy parturients at term undergoing elective cesaarean into two groups.Group I,40 cases of cesarean section received PCEA.Group II did not receive postoperative management.PCEA was performed for 72 hrs(2 ml/h).The plasma prolaction level was measured with radioimmunossay(RIA).Results:VAS paia score after operation was significantly lower in PCEA than in the control group(P0.01).In both groups,prolactin levels were significantly higher after operation(P0.01).The increase was greater in PPCEA group(P0.05).There were negative correlations between VAS scores(24 h and 48 h postoperation)and the plasma concentration of prolaction(P0.01).Lactation started earlier in PCEA group than in control group(P0.05).Conclusion:PCEA after cesarean section prodused a satisfactory increased secretion of prolaction and improved colostrum.