Effect of postoperative epidural analgesia with ropivacaine and morphine after cesarean section on the plasma concentration of prolactin

Objective To determine the effects of postoperative epidural analgesia with ropivacaine and morphine after cesarean scection on the plasma concentration of prolactin.Methods sixty parturients at term undergoing selective cesarean section under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia,were equally and randomly divided into two groups:the analgesic group(group A,n=30)and the controlled group(group C,n=30).Epidural analgesia was performed for 48 hours with a continuous epidural infusion(2ml/h)of 0.075% ropivacaine and 0.009% morphine.The plasma prolactin level was determined with radioimmunoassary.The analgesia efficacy was evaluated with visual analog scale(VAS).Results The VAS score was significantly lower in analgesia group than that in control group(P0.01).In both groups,prolactin levels were significantly increased after operations(P0.01).the increase rate was greater,however,in the analgesia proup(P0.05).Lactation started earlier in analgesia group than that in control group(P0.01).The duration by which the intestine resumed its motor function was greatly shortened in annlgesia group(P0.01).Heart rate and blood pressure were stable during whole procedures,without nausea,vomiting,headache and numbness of the limbs.Conclusion Continous epidural ropivacaine and morphine after cesarean section produced a satisfactory postoperative pain relief.An increase prolactin of secretion,improvement of maternal colostrum and shortening the duration of intestine resumed its motor function can be expected.