Either sufentanil or fentanyl, in addition to intrathecal bupivacaine, provide satisfactory early labour analgesia

PURPOSE: The study was aimed primarily at comparing the duration of analgesia produced by intrathecal fentanyl 25 microg with sufentanil 5 microg when added to bupivacaine 1.25 mg as the initial component of the combined spinal epidural (CSE) technique in early labour. METHODS: Forty healthy parturients were randomly assigned into two groups to receive either intrathecal sufentanil 5 microg plus bupivacaine 1.25 mg (Group S) or intrathecal fentanyl 25 microg plus bupivacaine 1.25 mg (Group F). Apart from the duration of analgesia, pain scores and side effects were also evaluated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the duration of analgesia (mean 109 +/- SD 49 min in Group F vs 118 +/- 54 min in Group S, P=0.9). Group F had a more rapid onset of analgesia (P <0.05) and a higher cephalad block (median T4 vs T7, P <0.05) in the first 30 min after the block. No difference in the side effects was detected. CONCLUSION: Fentanyl 25 microg is a good alternative to sufentanil 5 microg when added to bupivacaine 1.25 mg for early labour analgesia.