Clinical investigation of epidural labor pain relief by low concertration of ropivacaine combined with fentanyl

Objective:To study the effects of low concentration of ropivacaine combined with fentanyl on pain relief, the movement of lower extramites, uterotonic sensory and delivery modes during epidural analgesia in labor.Methods:Sixty healthy, primiparous, full-term, cephalic presentation parturients were randomly divided into 3 groups: Group A was normal delivery without any intervention as control; Group B and C started epidural analgesia when utero-cervical was opened about 2~3 cm.Patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) were used after the loading dose of 10 ml and followed by continuous infusion of 5 ml/h. Group B received epidural administration of 0.125% ropivacaine; Group C received epidural administration of 0.125% ropivacaine plus fentanyl (2 μg/ml).Results:Epidural labor analgesia had no any significant effect on vital signs of the parturients. The pain was significantly relieved, the time of active phases were remarkably shorted with similar motor inhibition in B, C groups compared with those in control group. The rate of good analgesia and satisfactory of parturients was significantly higher in group C than that in group B.Conclusion:0.125% ropivacaine combined with fentanyl is faster and longer without side effect and can effectively used in labor analgesia. The technique is rather simple and safe for the newborn infants and the parturients. The cost is not expensive and worth of recommendation.