Effects of 0.15% Ropivacaine Alone and Combination with Sufentanil on Epidural Labor Analgesia and Adverse Reactions

Abstract

To compare the effects of 0.15% ropivacaine alone and combination with sufentanil on epidural labor analgesia and adverse reactions. Methods: A total of 297 eligible primiparae were randomly divided into group A (n=149, 0.15% ropivacaine + sufentanil) and group B (n=148, 0.15% ropivacaine). Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores before analgesia and 20 min after epidural medication, and maximum VAS score during labor were observed. The times of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump pressing and remedial analgesia, dosage of analgesic drugs, modified Bromage score, satisfaction degree, duration of labor, mode of delivery, 1-min and 5-min Apgar scores of newborns, adverse reactions during analgesia, and fever during labor were recorded. Results: VAS score 20 min after epidural medication and maximum score during labor were significantly lower in both groups than those before labor analgesia (P<0.05), but the two groups had similar scores (P>0.05). The two groups had similar times of PCA pump pressing and remedial analgesia, dosage of analgesic drugs, modified Bromage score and satisfaction degree (P>0.05). They had similar duration of labor, mode of delivery and 1-min and 5-min Apgar scores of newborns (P>0.05). There were 13 cases (8.72%) and 0 cases of pruritus in group A and B, respectively (P<0.05). They had similar incidence rates of nausea and vomiting, urinary retention and fever during labor (P>0.05). Conclusions: The epidural labor analgesia effect of 0.15% ropivacaine is comparable to that of 0.15% ropivacaine + 0.05 ng/mL sufentanil for primiparae, but the incidence rate of pruritus plummets when ropivacaine is used alone.