The effect of spinal anesthesia with low dose ropivacaine for labor analgesia in highland

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of combined spinal epidural anesthesia with low dose ropivacaine for labor analgesia in highland. Methods One hundred of primiparas who were at full term and in spontaneous labor in highland were assigned randomly in two groups(n=50): labor analgesia group(group A) and control group(group B). In group A, 0.1% ropivacaine 3 ml were given in spinal when the cervical dilation were 3 cm, then patient controlled epidural analgesia pump were placed in epidural. And the patient controlled epidural analgesia pump were withdrawn when the fetus were delivered. In group B, primiparas did not accepted any labor analgesia. BP, HR and the scores of VAS and Bromage were determined before anesthesia(T0) and at 5 min(T1), 10 min(T2), 30 min(T3) after anesthesia in two groups. Duration of labor, method of delivery, oxytocin dose, maternal satisfaction and amount of bleeding after birth were recorded. The Apgar scores of the neonates were recorded at 1, 5 min after birth. Results BP, HR, duration of labor, amount of bleeding after birth, the Apgar scores of the neonates of two groups did not show significant difference(P>0.05). The VAS score was less in the labor analgesia group at 5 min after anesthesia than the score before anesthesia(P<0.05). Cesarean section rate and oxytocin doses in group B were significantly higher than that of group A(P<0.05). Maternal satisfaction rate in group A was significantly higher than rate in group B(P<0.05). Conclusions Labor analgesia in highland results in less pain rapidly and maternal satisfaction remains high without negative effect on duration of labor and fetus. Key words: Ropivacaine; Labor analgesia; Highland areas