Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Epidural analgesia has been implicated as a cause of dystocia leading to an increase in instrumental deliveries and possibly even caesarean sections. The present study was conducted to assess efficacy of sufentanil and fentanyl with low-concentration bupivacaine for combined spinal epidural labour analgesia. Materials & Methods:50 parturients belonging to ASA grade I and IIwith singleton, term pregnancy in spontaneous labourwere divided into two groups of 25. Group I received bupivacaine heavy (2.5 mg) and sufentanil (5 mcg) intrathecally and 10 mL intermittent bolus of sufentanil 0.30 mcg/mL in bupivacaine 0.125% as epidural top-ups. Group II received bupivacaine heavy (2.5 mg) and fentanyl (25 mcg) intrathecally and 10 mL intermittent bolus of fentanyl 2.5 mcg/mL in bupivacaine 0.125% as epidural top-ups. Results: The mean age in group I was 24.5 years and in group II was 25.1 years. The mean weight was 58.4 kgs in group I and 59.2 kgs in group II. The mean height was 157.2 cm in group I and 158.9 cm in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). The mode of delivery was full-term normal delivery in 21 and 20 and lower segment caesarean section in 4 and 5 in group I and II respectively. VAS score 0-1 was seen in 22 and 23, score 1-4 in 3 and 2 respectively. Duration of intrathecal analgesia was 108.4minand 76.2min. Time of onset of intrathecal analgesia was 2.45min and 2.58min and mean duration between epidural top-ups was 92.1min and 84.7min in group I and II respectively. Conclusion: Combined spinal epidural using sufentanil and fentanyl achieved high patient satisfaction andexcellent labour analgesia.