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 with sufentanil on epidural labor analgesia.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 prior to analgesia and 20 min following epidural med- ication, the maximum VAS score during labor, dosage of analgesic drugs, modified Bromage score, satisfaction degree, labor duration, delivery mode, 1-min and 5-min Apgar scores of newborns, adverse reactions during analgesia, and fever during labor were 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 and vomiting 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 + 0.05 mu g/mL sufentanil on primiparae.