Korean J Anesthesiol.  1985 Sep;18(3):257-262.

Continuous Epidural Analgesia for Labor and Delivery

• Jeon JK
• Kim AR

Abstract

Continuous epidural analgesia for labor has become a very popular procedure in the Unites States. However it has not been introduced enough to the laypeople in Korea because of economic problems, lack of availabel anesthesiologists and traditional prejudice about anesthesia for delivery. This report is to present our clinical experience of 250 cases of continuous epidural analgesia for labor and delivery which was done at the Dong San Medical Center during the period of January to May 1985. An epidural puncture was made at the level between L3-4 with the same technique as used for an ordinary epidural anesthesia. The catheter was thereaded through an 18GTuohy epideral needle. The epidural catheter was fixed and tapped to the patient's right side. During the first stage of labor, 6~8ml of 1% lidocaine mixed with eqinephrine 1:300,000 was injected through the catheter when the cervix was 5~6cm dilated in primipara and 4~5cm dilated in multipara. After the initial injection, the same dose 1% lidocaine was repeated as needed when the pain recurred. The injections were usually repeated 3 to 4 times in primipara and once or twice in multipara. For the second stage of labor, 10~12 ml of 1.5% lidocaine was used. As a result of this experience, we have come to the conclusion that continuous epidural analgesia for labor is beneficail to most of the parturients and is highly useful for practice in Korea.

MeSH Terms

Analgesia, Epidural*
Anesthesia
Anesthesia, Epidural
Catheters
Cervix Uteri
Female
Korea
Lidocaine
Needles
Patient Rights
Prejudice
Punctures
Lidocaine