A Randomized Comparative Study of 0.1% Levobupivacaine with Fentanyl Vs 0.1% Ropivacaine with Fentanyl in patients of Labor Analgesia

0.1% levobupivacaine vs 0.1% Ropivacaine

Abstract

Background: Labor pain is excruciating and a significant contributor of stress and anxiety. The present study was conducted to assess the efficacy of low concentrations of local anaesthetics (0.1% ropivacaine and 0.1% levobupivacaine) with 2 g/ml fentanyl as a patient controlled epidural analgesia. Subjects and Methods: 30 labouring parturients were divided into 2 groups of 15 each. Group I patients received 0.1% ropivacaine with 2 g/ml fentanyl and group II patients received 0.1% levobupivacaine with 2 g/ml fentanyl as epidural solutions via PCEA pump infusions. Results: Mode of delivery found to be caesarean seen in 5 in group I and 7 in group II, instrument-assisted vaginal delivery seen 8 in group I and 6 in group II and normal vaginal delivery seen 7 in group I and 7 in group II. The difference was non- significant (P> 0.05). Demand boluses per hour was 0.08 in group I and 0.36 in group II, mean total number of manual rescue boluses was 1.02 in group I and 0.61 in group II and first requirement of manual rescue bolus was 3.10 in group I and 2.60 in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Both the drugs produced equivalent analgesia for labor at low concentration when used with highly lipid soluble opioid such as fentanyl.