Epinephrine is not a useful addition to intrathecal fentanyl or fentanyl-bupivacaine for labor analgesia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Intrathecal fentanyl provides effective labor analgesia for a limited time with frequent side effects. We evaluated the effects of adding epinephrine to intrathecal fentanyl with and without bupivacaine. METHODS: Eighty healthy, term, nulliparous parturients with cervical dilation of 5 cm or less received combined spinal-epidural (CSE) analgesia. Subjects were randomized in a double-blind fashion to 1 of 4 intrathecal solutions containing fentanyl 35 microg with either saline (F); bupivacaine 2.5 mg + saline (FB); bupivacaine 2.5 mg + epinephrine 100 microg (FBE); or epinephrine 100 microg + saline (FE). Patients were evaluated for visual analog pain score, duration of spinal analgesia (time until patient request for additional analgesia), nausea/vomiting, pruritus, sensory and motor block, maternal blood pressure, and fetal heart rate (FHR). RESULTS: Intrathecal bupivacaine significantly prolonged fentanyl analgesia with or without epinephrine (P =.018), but epinephrine did not significantly prolong the duration of fentanyl alone or with bupivacaine (F, 92 +/- 39 minutes; FB, 125 +/- 31 minutes; FBE, 134 +/- 42 minutes; and FE, 117 +/- 48 minutes). Intrathecal epinephrine was associated with a higher incidence of severe nausea (P =.001), and the FBE group had more lower extremity weakness (P =.047). There was no difference in the incidence of severe pruritus, FHR deceleration, or delivery outcome between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that intrathecal epinephrine does not prolong the duration of fentanyl or fentanyl with bupivacaine for labor analgesia in nulliparous parturients. Additionally, intrathecal epinephrine did not decrease the incidence of side effects and therefore cannot be recommended.     

Comparison of intrathecal fentanyl and bupivacaine in combined spinal-epidural obstetric analgesia

OBJECTIVES: To compare intrathecal injection of the opioid fentanyl to injection of bupivacaine, in terms of their effect of labour in the context within the combined spinal-epidural analgesia. METHODS: Prospective single-blind trial in primiparas randomized to 2 groups for sedation with 25 microg of fentanyl or 2.5 mg of bupivacaine, followed in both cases by epidural infusion of ropivacaine. We measured time from puncture to delivery of the neonate, rescue analgesia, pain assessed on a visual analog scale (VAS), motor block, side effects, sensory level, Apgar score, and maternal satisfaction. RESULTS: Sixty-four women were studied. The mean time elapsed between puncture and birth was 168.59 minutes (95% confidence interval [CI], 134.16 to 203.03 minutes) in the bupivacaine group and 189.13 minutes (95% CI, 151.93 to 226.32 minutes) in the fentanyl group. The mean difference was -20.53 minutes (95% CI, -70.21 to 29.15 minutes). Survival analysis applied to duration of labor, using type of delivery as the final outcome, also failed to show a significant between-group difference (chi2=0.59, P=.447). No significant differences in use of rescue analgesia, VAS scores, or motor block were observed. The incidence of pruritus in the fentanyl group was 34.37%, but there were no differences in maternal satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings do not support the use of intradural fentanyl with the aim of shortening labor. Fentanyl leads to more pruritus, although this side effect does not affect maternal satisfaction.     

The addition of morphine prolongs fentanyl-bupivacaine spinal analgesia for the relief of labor pain

The combination intrathecal fentanyl (25 microg) and bupivacaine (2.5 mg) provides effective labor analgesia for approximately 90 minutes. The purpose of this prospective, randomized, double-blinded investigation was to determine if the addition of morphine (150 microg) to the intrathecal combination of fentanyl (25 microg) and bupivacaine (2.5 mg) would prolong labor analgesia. By using the combined spinal epidural technique, 95 healthy primiparous laboring women in early labor received 2 mL of one of the two intrathecal study solutions, either FB (n = 48): fentanyl (25 microg) and bupivacaine (2.5 mg); or FBM (n = 47): fentanyl (25 microg) and bupivacaine (2.5 mg) plus morphine (150 microg). The mean duration of labor analgesia was significantly longer in the FBM group than in the FB group (252 +/- 63 min vs 148 +/- 44 min, P < 0.01). There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding the sensory levels, the incidence of nausea, vomiting, pruritus, hypotension, or operative delivery. In conclusion, the addition of 150 microg of morphine to the intrathecal combination of fentanyl plus bupivacaine prolonged the duration of labor analgesia duration without increasing adverse effects. IMPLICATIONS: The addition of morphine (150 microg) to intrathecal fentanyl (25 microg) and bupivacaine (2.5 mg) prolongs the duration of labor analgesia duration without increasing adverse effects.     

Bupivacaine augments intrathecal fentanyl for labor analgesia.

BACKGROUND: fentanyl has been shown to be an effective analgesic for labor; this study investigated the analgesic effect of low-dose bpivacaine added to intrathecal fentanyl for labor analgesia METHODS: Ninety parturients in active labor who requested regional analgesia were randomized to receive an intrathecal injection of either fentanyl, 25 microg; bupivacaine, 1.25 mg, with fentanyl, 25 microg; or bupivacaine, 2.5 mg, with fentanyl, 25 microg, as part of a combined spinal-epidural technique. Visual analog pain scores were recorded before and at intervals after injection until the patient requested further analgesia. Maternal blood pressure and fetal heart rate were recorded before and at intervals after injection. Lower-extremity muscle strength was tested before and 30 min after injection; anesthetic level to cold sensation and the presence and severity of pruritus were recorded. RESULTS: Duration of analgesia was longer in the group receiving bupivacaine, 2.5 mg, and fentanyl, 25 microg, than the group receiving plain fentanyl (108 vs. 92 min; P < 0.05). Onset of analgesia was faster in both groups receiving bupivacaine compared with plain fentanyl (P < 0.05). No differences in muscle strength after injection were found in any group, although anesthetic levels to cold were documented in all patients in the bupivacaine groups, and 21 of 30 in the plain fentanyl group. Baseline fetal heart rates did not change after injection in any group, and maternal blood pressure was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of 2.5 mg isobaric bupivacaine to 25 microg fentanyl for intrathecal labor analgesia modestly increases duration and speeds onset of analgesia compared with plain intrathecal fentanyl.     

A comparison of epidural infusions in the combined spinal/epidural technique for labor analgesia

We compared the clinical effects of three epidural infusions initiated after subarachnoid medication was administered as part of the combined spinal/epidural technique for labor analgesia. Fifteen minutes after administering subarachnoid fentanyl 25 microg and 1 mL of bupivacaine 0.25%, and 5 min after an epidural test dose of 3 mL of bupivacaine 0.25%, women were randomized to receive an epidural infusion of saline, bupivacaine 0.125%, bupivacaine 0.0625%, or bupivacaine 0.04% with epinephrine 1:600,000. All epidural infusions were started at 10 mL/h, and all except the Saline Group also received fentanyl 2 microg/mL. The end point of the study was delivery or request for additional medication for analgesia. We found that time until request for additional analgesia was longest in women who received bupivacaine 0.125% (median duration, 300 min) versus saline (median duration, 118 min) (P = 0.0001) and was intermediate for bupivacaine 0.0625% and bupivacaine 0.04% (median duration, 162 and 180 min, respectively) (P = 0.0001 versus saline). Women who received bupivacaine 0.125% had the most motor block. We conclude that all the bupivacaine-based infusions we tested maintained the analgesia from subarachnoid medication longer than saline, with the longest duration, but the most motor block, from bupivacaine 0.125%. IMPLICATIONS: In this prospective, randomized, and double-blinded study we found that initiating an epidural infusion of bupivacaine 0.125% with fentanyl 2 microg/mL at 10 mL/h 15 min after subarachnoid fentanyl 25 microg with 1 mL of bupivacaine 0.25%, followed by an epidural test dose of 3 mL of bupivacaine 0.25%, maintained the analgesia for longer but with more motor block than with either bupivacaine 0.04% or bupivacaine 0.0625%.     

Advantage of ropivacaine for postoperative epidural analgesia following leg orthopedic surgery

BACKGROUND: Epidural administration of local anesthetics may lead to effective pain relief. However, tachyphylaxis or other problems following prolonged epidural anesthesia may develop and in many cases difficulties exist in the maintenance of the similar degree of sensory blockade. The present study was therefore performed to investigate the analgesic effect of continuous postoperative epidural infusion of ropivacaine with fentanyl in comparison with that of bupivacaine or ropivacaine alone. METHODS: After leg orthopedic surgery with lumbar combined spinal-epidural anesthesia, thirty-six patients were randomized to one of the three postoperative epidural infusion groups: bupivacaine 0.125%, ropivacaine 0.2%, or ropivacaine 0.2% with 2.2 microg x ml(-1) (400 microg x 180 ml(-1)) of fentanyl. Continuous epidural infusion was started at a rate of 6 ml x h(-1) with possibility of an additional bolus injection of 3 ml at least every 60 min. Pain was assessed using a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS) just before and 15 min after epidural bolus injections, and 15-20 h after the start of continuous epidural infusion as the severe at pain through the observation. The spread of analgesia (loss of sharpness in pinprick perception) and motor block (Bromage scale) were evaluated bilaterally. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were also measured. RESULTS: The epidural bolus infusion was associated with a significant decrease of VAS (P < 0.001) and stable blood pressure and heart rate in all groups. The maximal VAS in patients receiving 0.2% ropivacaine+fentanyl was significantly less compared to that in the other two groups. The regression of sensory blockade was significantly prolonged in patients treated with ropivacaine+fentanyl. There was no significant difference in the spread of sensory analgesia between 20 min and 15-20 h after the continuous epidural anesthesia in this group. None of the patients developed adverse effects such as respiratory depression, nausea, and pruritis. CONCLUSIONS: Epidural injection of ropivacaine with fentanyl decreased postoperative pain with stable vital signs in patients undergoing leg orthopedic surgery, as compared to bupivacaine or ropivacaine alone, possibly because of the maintenance of sensory blockade by ropivacaine and enhancement of this sensory blockade by fentanyl.     

The effect of intrathecal epinephrine on epidural infused analgesics during labor

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In order to prolong labor analgesia, one may add intrathecal epinephrine to the combination of bupivacaine and fentanyl. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the addition of intrathecal epinephrine would lessen the requirement for a rescue dose of epidural analgesia during labor. METHODS: One hundred-eight parturients randomly received intrathecal bupivacaine 2.5 mg and fentanyl 25 microgram with epinephrine 100 microgram (Group BFE) or without (Group BF). Analgesia was assessed by visual analogue pain score (VAPS) 15 and 30 minutes after drug administration. Then, epidural analgesia (0.1% bupivacaine with 0.0002% fentanyl and 1:250,000 epinephrine at 10 mL/h) was initiated. If the patient requested additional analgesia and VAPS was over 30 mm, we added 8 mL epidural bupivacaine 0.125%. The requirement for additional analgesia, the incidence of motor block assessed by a modified Bromage score, hypotension, nausea, and pruritus was noted. RESULTS: Except for 3 parturients in Group BF, satisfactory analgesia was achieved in all parturients 30 minutes after intrathecal drug administration. Following 30 minutes of intrathecal drug administration, VAPSs (mean +/- SD) were 0 +/- 4 mm in Group BFE and 4 +/- 11 mm in Group BF. The number of patients who required additional labor analgesia in Group BFE (11 patients, 20%) was significantly less than in Group BF (26 patients, 48%) (P =.003). The incidence of motor block 30 minutes after spinal analgesia in Group BFE (12 patients, 22%) was significantly higher than in Group BF (3 patients, 6%) (P =.024). Nausea and pruritus were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: The addition of epinephrine to intrathecal bupivacaine-fentanyl lessened the requirement for additional epidural analgesia without increasing hypotension, nausea, or pruritus. However, the incidence of motor block may be increased without labor prolongation.     

The influence of a bupivacaine and fentanyl epidural infusion after epidural fentanyl in patients allowed to ambulate in early labor

Epidural fentanyl after a lidocaine and epinephrine test dose provides adequate analgesia and allows for ambulation during early labor. This study was designed to determine the influence of an epidural infusion of bupivacaine plus fentanyl administered after initiation of epidural labor analgesia with fentanyl. Specifically, we evaluated whether there is an increase in motor block or an increased time to request for further analgesic medication. Fifty-one laboring primigravid women at <5 cm cervical dilation who requested epidural analgesia were enrolled. After a 3-mL epidural test dose of 1.5% lidocaine with epinephrine (5 microg/mL), patients received fentanyl 100 microg via the epidural catheter. They then randomly received either an infusion (10 mL/h) of 0.0625% bupivacaine with fentanyl (3 microg/mL) or an infusion of preservative-free saline. After the administration of the initial analgesic, pain scores and side effects were recorded for each patient at 10, 20, and 30 min, every 30 min thereafter, and at the time of request for additional analgesic medication, by an observer blinded to the technique used. There were no demographic differences between the two groups. The mean duration of analgesia (time from initial dose to request for additional analgesia) was increased in the group that received a continuous infusion of bupivacaine and fentanyl compared with the Saline group (198 +/- 86 vs 145 +/- 50 min; P < 0.009). Side effects were similar between the two groups. No patient in either group experienced any detectable motor block. Fourteen patients chose to ambulate in the Saline group, and 12 patients chose to ambulate in the Infusion group. In early laboring patients, a continuous infusion of 0.0625% bupivacaine infusion with fentanyl (3 microg/mL) prolonged the duration until top-up was required, after epidural fentanyl 100 microg after a lidocaine and epinephrine test dose, and did not cause any clinically detectable motor block. IMPLICATIONS: A 0.0625% bupivacaine and fentanyl (3 microg/mL) infusion, when added to epidural fentanyl (100 microg), prolongs the analgesic duration without increasing motor block in women in early labor.     

A randomized comparison of programmed intermittent epidural bolus with continuous epidural infusion for labor analgesia

Bolus injection through an epidural catheter may result in better distribution of anesthetic solution in the epidural space compared with continuous infusion of the same anesthetic solution. In this randomized, double-blind study we compared total bupivacaine consumption, need for supplemental epidural analgesia, quality of analgesia, and patient satisfaction in women who received programmed intermittent epidural boluses (PIEB) compared with continuous epidural infusion (CEI) for maintenance of labor analgesia. The primary outcome variable was bupivacaine consumption per hour of analgesia. Combined spinal epidural analgesia was initiated in multiparas scheduled for induction of labor with cervical dilation between 2 and 5 cm. Subjects were randomized to PIEB (6-mL bolus every 30 min beginning 45 min after the intrathecal injection) or CEI (12-mL/h infusion beginning 15 min the after the intrathecal injection). The epidural analgesia solution was bupivacaine 0.625 mg/mL and fentanyl 2 microg/mL. Breakthrough pain in both groups was treated initially with patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) followed by manual bolus rescue analgesia using bupivacaine 0.125%. The median total bupivacaine dose per hour of analgesia was less in the PIEB (n = 63) (10.5 mg/h; 95% confidence interval, 9.5-11.8 mg/h) compared with the CEI group (n = 63) (12.3 mg/h; 95% confidence interval, 10.5-14.0 mg/h) (P < 0.01), fewer manual rescue boluses were required (rate difference 22%, 95% confidence interval of difference 5% to 38%), and satisfaction scores were higher. Labor pain, PCEA requests, and delivered PCEA doses did not differ. PIEB combined with PCEA provided similar analgesia, but with a smaller bupivacaine dose and better patient satisfaction compared with CEI with PCEA for maintenance of epidural labor analgesia.     

Minimum local analgesic dose of intrathecal bupivacaine in labor and the effect of intrathecal fentanyl

BACKGROUND: Combining bupivacaine with fentanyl for intrathecal analgesia in labor is well recognized, but dosages commonly used are arbitrarily chosen and may be excessive. This study aimed to determine the median effective dose (ED50) of intrathecal bupivacaine, defined as the minimum local analgesic dose (MLAD), and then use this to assess the effect of different doses of fentanyl. METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized, prospective study, 124 parturients receiving combined spinal epidural analgesia at 2-6-cm cervical dilatation were allocated to one of four groups to receive bupivacaine alone or with 5, 15, or 25 microg fentanyl, using the technique of up-down sequential allocation. Analgesic effectiveness was assessed using 100-mm visual analog pain scores, with less than or equal to 10 mm within 15 min defined as effective. MLAD was calculated using the formula of Dixon and Massey. Pruritus and duration of spinal analgesia were also recorded. RESULTS: Minimum local analgesic dose of intrathecal bupivacaine was 1.99 mg (95% confidence interval, 1.71, 2.27). There were similar significant reductions in MLAD (P < 0.001) for all bupivacaine-fentanyl groups compared with bupivacaine control. There was a dose-dependent increase in both pruritus and duration of spinal analgesia with increasing fentanyl (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Under the conditions of this study, the addition of intrathecal fentanyl 5 microg offers a similar significant bupivacaine dose-sparing effect as 15 and 25 microg. Analgesia in the first stage of labor can be achieved using lower doses of fentanyl, resulting in less pruritus but with a shortening of duration of action.     

Comparison of maternal and neonatal outcomes with epidural bupivacaine plus fentanyl and ropivacaine plus fentanyl for labor analgesia

BACKGROUND: Several studies have been performed to find a safe method of labor analgesia with minimal side effects and toxicity in mother and fetus. We aimed to compare the efficacy and side effects of epidural bupivacaine plus fentanyl and ropivacaine plus fentanyl at low concentrations. METHOD: Forty ASA I-II parturients' were included in this prospective, double-blind, trial and randomized to receive either bupivacaine or ropivacaine for labor analgesia. Analgesia was initiated with 8 mL of 0.125% solution plus fentanyl 50 microg and maintained with a continuous infusion of 0.0625% solution with fentanyl 2 microg/mL. RESULTS: There were no differences in pain scores, total dose of local anesthetics used, sensory or motor blockade, labor duration, mode of delivery, side effects, patient satisfaction, or neonatal outcome between the two local anesthetics at these dosages, but at the end of the second stage and delivery, adequate analgesia quality could not be ensured. CONCLUSION: We found no major advantage of continuous epidural infusion of ropivacaine 0.0625% plus fentanyl 2 microg/mL over bupivacaine 0.0625% plus fentanyl 2 microg/mL for labor analgesia. We believe that different methods or dosages may be tried in order to improve comfort at the second stage of labor and the delivery.     

The efficacy and safety of continuous epidural analgesia versus intradural-epidural analgesia during labor]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of intradural-epidural analgesia in comparison with continuous epidural analgesia during labor and childbirth. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Forty-two women whose labor began spontaneously were enrolled and distributed randomly in two groups. The intradural-epidural analgesia group (IEA, n = 21) received 25 microgram of intradural fentanyl with 2.5 mg of isobaric bupivacaine with adrenalin, after which analgesia was maintained with epidural administration of one 8 mL bolus of 0.125% bupivacaine, followed by perfusion of a balanced concentration at a rate of 8 ml/h. Patients in the continuous epidural analgesia group (CEA, n = 21) were given 8 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine with adrenalin; the epidural perfusion of 0.125% bupivacaine and 1 microgram/ml of fentanyl was started at the same rate as in the IEA group. We recorded pain as assessed on a visual analog scale, extension of sensory and motor block, maternal hemodynamic constants, number of boluses of bupivacaine used, total doses of bupivacaine and oxytocin, instruments needed for childbirth, and side effects (pruritus, nausea and vomiting). RESULTS: Analgesic efficacy during the first 30 minutes was greater in the IEA group. The total dose of bupivacaine, required top-up boluses, and the extension of sensory block at 30 minutes, one hour and two hours were also significantly less in the IEA group. The incidence of pruritus was higher in the IEA group. No significant differences were observed for other variables. CONCLUSIONS: Intradural-epidural analgesia provides effective analgesia for labor, with rapid onset, reduced extension of sensory block, lower total doses of local anesthetics and few side effects.     

Addition of bupivacaine 1.25 mg to fentanyl confers no advantage over fentanyl alone for intrathecal analgesia in early labour

PURPOSE: a) To evaluate the effect of adding 1.25 mg of bupivacaine to intrathecal fentanyl on the duration of analgesia in an Asian population and b) to examine if the baricity of the local anesthetic at this dose has any bearing on the duration and quality of block. METHODS: Forty-eight parturients in early labour received combined spinal epidural (CSE) analgesia to evaluate a) the effect of adding 1.25 mg of bupivacaine to intrathecal (IT) fentanyl 25 microg on the duration of analgesia and b) the effect of baricity of intrathecal local anesthetic on the duration and quality of the block. Patients were randomly allocated to receive: IT fentanyl 25 microg plus normal saline (Group f, n=16), IT fentanyl 25 microg plus plain bupivacaine 1.25 mg (Group f+pb, n=16) and IT fentanyl 25 microg plus heavy bupivacaine 1.25 mg (Group f+hb, n=16). The two components of the IT injectate (total of 2.25 mL) were given sequentially. RESULTS: Group f+hb had the lowest sensory dermatomal block (T7 vs T4 (Group f), T5 (Group f+pb), P <0.01). There were no differences in the duration of analgesia and incidence of side effects among the groups. CONCLUSION: We found no advantage of adding 1.25 mg bupivacaine to fentanyl 25 microg. At this dose, the baricity of bupivacaine has no effect on the duration of analgesia.     

Combined spinal-epidural versus epidural labor analgesia

BACKGROUND: Despite the growing popularity of combined spinal-epidural analgesia in laboring women, the exact role of intrathecal opioids and the needle-through-needle technique remains to be determined. The authors hypothesized that anesthetic technique would have little effect on obstetric outcome or anesthetic complications. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected from 2,183 laboring women randomly assigned to have labor analgesia induced with either 10 microg intrathecal sufentanil with or without 2.0 mg bupivacaine (n = 1,071) or 10 microg epidural sufentanil and 12.5-25.0 mg bupivacaine (n = 1,112). Immediately after induction, a continuous epidural infusion of 0.083% bupivacaine plus 0.3 microg/ml sufentanil was begun in all patients and continued until delivery. Labor was managed by nurses, obstetricians, and obstetric residents who were unaware of the anesthetic technique used. RESULTS: Anesthetic technique lacked impact on our primary outcome: mode of delivery or labor duration. Infants whose mothers were allocated to the combined spinal-epidural group had a slightly higher umbilical artery carbon dioxide partial pressure (54.2 +/- 10.4 vs. 53.2 +/- 10.2 mmHg). However, only achieving at least 5 cm cervical dilation before induction of analgesia and having a cesarean delivery were independent risk factors for elevated umbilical artery carbon dioxide partial pressure. The frequencies of accidental dural puncture, failed epidural analgesia, headache, and epidural blood patch were low and similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Labor progress and outcome are similar among women receiving either combined spinal-epidural or epidural analgesia. The difference in neonatal outcome appears related to the presence of confounding variables. The combined spinal-epidural technique is not associated with an increased frequency of anesthetic complications. Either technique can safely provide effective labor analgesia.     

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.     

Low-dose bupivacaine does not improve postoperative epidural fentanyl analgesia in orthopedic patients

Epidural infusions of 10 micrograms/mL fentanyl combined with low-dose bupivacaine (0.1%) were compared with epidural infusions of fentanyl alone for postoperative analgesia after total knee joint replacement. There were no detectable differences between the two groups in analgesia (visual analogue scale ranging between 15 and 40 mm), infusion rates (which averaged 7-9 mL/h), or serum fentanyl levels (which reached 1-2 ng/mL). The incidence of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and pruritus, was also similar. Of the patients receiving fentanyl and low-dose bupivacaine, one developed a transient unilateral motor and sensory loss, and one developed significant hypotension and respiratory depression. The addition of low-dose bupivacaine does not improve epidural fentanyl infusion analgesia after knee surgery and may increase morbidity.     

Bupivacaine versus L-bupivacaine for labor analgesia via combined spinal-epidural: a randomized, double-blinded study

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the intensity and duration of motor block and the duration of sensory block with racemic bupivacaine and l-bupivacaine for combined spinal-epidural analgesia, as previous studies have shown contradictory results. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. SETTING: Birth Center at Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pa. PATIENTS: Multiparous American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II patients requesting labor analgesia. There were 2 groups: group A with 34 patients and group B with 33. INTERVENTIONS: Group A received a mixture of 2.5 mg of racemic bupivacaine and 25 microg of fentanyl into the subarachnoid space. Group B received 2.5 mg of intrathecal L-bupivacaine and 25 microg of fentanyl. Pain verbal analog score (VAS, 0-10) scores and Bromage scores were recorded at 5, 15, 30, and every 30 minutes thereafter until the VAS increased to 3 or higher, at which time the epidural block was activated with 0.125% bupivacaine and fentanyl. Patients' vital signs and fetal heart rate were monitored for 30 minutes after the block. MAIN RESULTS: None of the patients in both groups had any demonstrable motor block. The median VAS decreased from 7 to 0 in 5 minutes in group A and from 7.5 to 0 in group B. The average durations of sensory block in groups A and B were 114.85 +/- 26.27 and 101.9 +/- 35.20 minutes (P = NS), respectively. CONCLUSION: Contrary to earlier studies, we did not find any difference in the intensity and duration of sensory or motor blocks between racemic bupivacaine and l-bupivacaine. Based on our findings in the parturient population studied, we conclude that l-bupivacaine does not offer any advantages over racemic bupivacaine when used for combined spinal-epidural for labor analgesia.     

Combined spinal and epidural anesthesia with low doses of intrathecal bupivacaine in women with severe preeclampsia: a preliminary report

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the quality of anesthesia for cesarean delivery (CD), analgesia for labor (LA), hemodynamic changes, and neonatal effects of combined spinal and epidural anesthesia (CSE) with low intrathecal doses of bupivacaine and fentanyl in patients with severe preeclampsia. METHODS: Of the 85 patients with severe preeclampsia (systolic pressures [SBP] > or = 160 mm Hg or diastolic pressures [DBP] > or = 110 mm Hg, and proteinuria > or = 100 mg/dL), 46 underwent CD and 39 delivered vaginally. The CD group received 7.5 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine and 25 microg fentanyl intrathecally with a goal of obtaining a T4 sensory block. Those with levels less than T4 received 2% lidocaine epidurally to extend the block. In the LA group, the intrathecal dose was 1.25 mg of plain bupivacaine with 25 microg of fentanyl, followed by epidural infusion of 0.0625% to 0.125% bupivacaine with 2 to 4 microg fentanyl/mL at 12 to 15 mL/h. RESULTS: In the CD group, all but 4 patients had > or = T4 block, and these 4 patients received 2% lidocaine epidurally. None required conversion to general anesthesia. In the LA group, sensory levels were T10 (range, T6-L2) with adequate analgesia. The baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP) was 122 +/- 13 mm Hg in the CD group and 117 +/- 12 mm Hg in the LA group. After CSE, MAP decreased significantly and reached a nadir within 5 minutes in both groups (103 +/- 12 mm Hg in the CD group and 96 +/- 13 mm Hg in the LA group, P <.05). The maximum decrease in MAP was similar in the 2 groups (-15% +/- 8% in the CD group and -16% +/- 9% in the LA group). The neonatal Apgar scores and umbilical artery (UA) pH were similar, and there were no significant correlations between UA pH and lowest MAP before delivery or the maximum percentage change in MAP in either group. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that CSE with low intrathecal doses of bupivacaine and epidural supplementation, when needed, produces adequate anesthesia for CD and analgesia for labor in patients with severe preeclampsia. The maximum decreases in MAP after CSE were modest and quite similar in the 2 groups.     

Postoperative epidural analgesia in children after major orthopaedic surgery. A randomised study of the effect on PONV of two anaesthetic techniques: low and high dose i.v. fentanyl and epidural infusions with and without fentanyl

BACKGROUND: The study was performed in order to improve postoperative pain management in children after major orthopaedic surgery. Two different anaesthetic techniques (sevoflurane-low fentanyl and propofol-higher fentanyl) and two different epidural mixtures (bupivacaine 1.5 mg ml(-1) and adrenaline 2 microg ml(-1) compared with bupivacaine 1 mg ml(-1), adrenaline 2 microg ml(-1) and fentanyl 2 microg ml(-1)) were investigated with regard to postoperative analgesia and side effects, primarily postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). METHODS: Forty-two children were randomised into one of three groups: sevoflurane anaesthesia and epidural solution with fentanyl (SBAF); sevoflurane anaesthesia and epidural solution without fentanyl (SBA); propofol anaesthesia and epidural solution without fentanyl (PBA). RESULTS: Including fentanyl in the epidural mixture resulted in excellent postoperative analgesia without any need of i.v. opioids. However, 7 out of 16 children were nauseated and needed antiemetic drugs. On average, a 55-75% higher dose of bupivacaine was necessary to assure adequate analgesia when an epidural mixture without fentanyl was used. In addition, significantly more children needed i.v. opioids. Under these conditions there was no significant difference in pain scoring between the groups. There was significantly less nausea and less use of antiemetic drugs in children having epidurals without fentanyl in the sevoflurane groups. The same tendency, although not significant, was observed in the whole material. Sevoflurane anaesthesia resulted in less PONV than propofol anaesthesia, probably due to the higher amount of intravenous fentanyl used with the latter. This difference was not significant due to the small number of children included. Incidence of pruritus related significantly to epidural fentanyl. CONCLUSION: A satisfactory postoperative analgesia can be achieved with both epidural mixtures used in the study. Epidural fentanyl results in better analgesia, but significantly more PONV and greater use of antiemetic drugs. Omitting epidural fentanyl results in less PONV, but significantly less profound analgesia and a need for additional treatment with i.v. opioids, in addition to a 55-75% higher epidural bupivacaine infusion. Both epidural treatments result in high and similar patient satisfaction and no serious complications. The study could not show any significant difference between the effect of sevoflurane and propofol anaesthesia on PONV.     

Comparison of three doses of epidural fentanyl followed by bupivacaine and fentanyl for labor analgesia

Background: Epidural fentanyl 100 μg after lidocaine–epinephrine test dose has been shown to provide adequate analgesia in early labor. This investigation determines the effect of three different bolus doses of epidural fentanyl on duration and quality of analgesia during early first stage of labor. Methods: In this prospective, double‐blind study, 103 laboring nulliparous at cervical dilation <5 cm were enrolled. After an epidural test dose of lidocaine (60 mg) with epinephrine (15 μg), parturients received, randomly, bolus of epidural fentanyl 50, 75, or 100 μg, followed by a continuous infusion of epidural bupivacaine 0.0625% and fentanyl 3 μg/ml at a rate of 10 ml/h. Pain scores and maternal sedation, pruritus, nausea, and vomiting were recorded 10, 20, and 30 min after fentanyl, and every 30 min thereafter until first request for additional analgesia. Results: Adequate analgesia was achieved in 87% (28/32), 94% (35/38), and 94% (31/33) in the fentanyl 50, 75, and 100 μg groups within 20 min. Mean duration of analgesia before re‐dosing was significantly longer in fentanyl 100 and 75 μg groups (185.6±82.9 and 188.5±82.2 min, respectively) as compared with fentanyl 50 μg group (133.6±46.2 min, P<0.016). There was no difference in the incidence of maternal side effects or neonatal Apgar scores among the three groups. Conclusion: After a test dose of lidocaine–epinephrine, the three epidural fentanyl doses produced similar effective labor analgesia. However, epidural fentanyl 75 μg followed by epidural infusion of dilute bupivacaine and fentanyl produced longer duration of analgesia than fentanyl 50 μg followed by the same infusion, with no further prolongation when the dose of fentanyl was increased up to 100 μg.