J Korean Pain Soc.  2000 Jun;13(1):67-73.

A Double-blind Comparison of 0.125% Ropivacaine with Fentanyl and 0.125% Bupivacine with Fentanyl for Labor Analgesia Using Patient-Controlled Epidural Infusion

• Choi JH
• Lee HJ
• Sung CH

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study intends to evaluate the benefits of the administation of continuous infusion and demand doses of 0.125% ropivacaine compared with 0.125% bupivacaine after addition of fentanyl using patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) for pain control during labor.
METHODS
Thirty-nine American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 or 2 parturients were randomized by double blind design to receive either 0.125% bupivacaine with fentanyl 1 ug/ml or equivalent concentration of ropivacaine/fentanyl using PCEA; with 6-8 ml/hr basal rate, 3 ml bolus, 5 min lockout, 30 ml/hr dose limit. We assessed analgesia, the amount of study solution used in PCEA, sensory levels, motor block (0-3 scales), side effects and patient satisfaction. A postpartum questionnaire was carried out afterward.
RESULTS
There were no differences in visual analogue scores (VAS) for pain, hourly study solution use, sensory levels, side effects and patient satisfaction between groups. However, patients administered ropivacaine/fentanyl had significantly less demand, less administered in PCEA, less numbness and restriction of movement compared with patients in the bupivacaine/fentanyl group.
CONCLUSIONS
Ropivacaine 0.125% with fentanyl, when administerd epidurally by PCEA for labor analgesia, was equally efficious as bupivaciane 0.125% with fentanyl, having with minimal numbness and restriction of motion.

Keyword

Key Words, Analgesia, patient-controlled; Analgesics, fentanyl; Anesthetics, Local, bupivacaine, ropivacaine; Pain, labor

MeSH Terms

Analgesia*
Analgesia, Epidural
Bupivacaine
Female
Fentanyl*
Humans
Hypesthesia
Labor Pain
Patient Satisfaction
Postpartum Period
Pregnancy
Surveys and Questionnaires
Bupivacaine
Fentanyl