Different concentration of sufentanil combined with 0.15% ropivacaine for postoperative patient-controlled epidural anal gesia after caesarean operation

Aim To compare the analgesia and side-effects of different concentrations of sufentanil combined with 0.15% ropivacaine for postoperative epidural analgesia after caesarean operation.Methods Forty-five ASA Ⅰ~Ⅱ patients aged 22~35 yrs weighing 60~88 kg undergoing elective caesarean operation were randomly assigned to receive patient-controlled epidural analgesia(PCEA) with 0.15% ropivacaine combined with sufentanil 0.3(group A,n=15),0.4(group B,n=15),or 0.5 mg·L-1(group C,n=15).Epidual catheter was placed at L2,3 interspace.The PCEA pump was set up with background infusion of 2 ml/h,a 3 ml bolus dose and a 30-min lock-out period.VAS scores were used to assess analgesia at rest and during movement.The total bolus doses,PCEA button pressing times(effective/actual),vital signs including MAP,HR,respiratory rate,SpO2,and side effects(nausea,vomiting,pruritus and dyspnea)were recorded.Results During the 48 hours after operation the VAS scores in group C were significantly lower than those in group A and group B(P0.01 or P0.05).The total amount of PCEA solution consumed and the actual PCEA button pressing times were significantly less in group C than those in group A and B(P0.05).The vital signs were stable and the incidence of side-effects was low.Conclusion The combination of 0.15% ropivacaine with sufentanil 0.5 mg·L-1 provides optimal analgesia without increase in the consumption of sufentanil and side-effects.