Effects of 0.15% ropivacaine alone and combination with sufentanil on epidural labor analgesia and adverse reactions

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the impacts of 0.15% ropivacaine alone and 0.15% ropivacaine combined withsufentanil on epidural labor analgesia. Methods: A total of 297 eligible primiparae were randomly divided into group A (n=149, 0.15% ropivacaine + sufentanil) andgroup B (n=148, 0.15% ropivacaine). Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores prior to analgesia and 20 min following epidural medication,the maximum VAS score during labor, dosage of analgesic drugs, modified Bromage score, satisfaction degree, laborduration, delivery mode, 1-min and 5-min Apgar scores of newborns, adverse reactions during analgesia, and fever during laborwere recorded. Results: Group A and B had similar VAS scores 20 min following epidural medication and maximum score during labor(P>0.05), which significantly fell compared with those before labor analgesia (P<0.05). The occurrence rates of nausea andvomiting were of significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion: 0.15% ropivacaine alone achieves a comparable epidural labor analgesia effect to that of 0.15% ropivacaine + 0.05μg/mL sufentanil on primiparae. Keywords: Ropivacaine; sufentanil; epidural labor analgesia; adverse reaction.