The Comparison of epidural continuous infusion and epidural patient controlled bolus administration in labor analgesia

Döndü Genç Moralar1, Ülkü Aygen Türkmen2, Aysel Altan2, Resul Arısoy Arısoy3, Emre Tahaoğlu3, Ekrem Özakın3

1Tekirdağ Malkara State Hospital, Anesthesiology And Reanimation Clinic, Tekirdağ, Turkey
2Okmeydani Training And Research Hospital, Anesthesiology And Reanimation Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey
3Okmeydani Training And Research Hospital, Gynecology And Obstetrics Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey

Keywords: Epidural analgesia, labor analgesia, patient controlled epidural analgesia, epidural infusion, epidural bolus administration

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the efficacies of patient controlled bolus administration and continuous infusion of low dose Fentanyl and Levobupivacaine combination by epidural catheter during vaginal labor on mother, baby and the duration of labor. METHODS: The 45 pregnants involved in the study were divided randomly into two groups, Group HKEB (patient controlled epidural bolus) and Group SEI (continuous epidural infusion). Hemodynamic parameters and VAS values of the pregnants, fetal heart rate, Apgar scores, duration of labor stages, types of delivery and side effects were recorded. Time to reach T10 dermatome was determined. Motor block was evaluated with modified Bromage scale. Additional analgesic needs were followed up and total drug consumptions were compared. RESULTS: Drug consumption was found to be significantly lower in HKEB admiistration(p<0,01). CONCLISION: Bolus administration of a basal dose that will keep analgesia level constant and additional drug administred upon patient requests both will prevent pregnants to experience a painful period and will give confidence and comfort to patient to ask for drug when she needs according to her pain character.