The Comparıson of 0.125% Bupıvacaıne+2 mcg/Ml Fentanyl and 0.0625% Bupıvacaıne+2 mcg/Ml Fentanyl in Patıent Controlled Epıdural Analgesıa durıng Labor

Background and objectives: We aimed to compare the maternal and fetal effects of two different concentrations of bupivacaine combined with fentanyl for patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) during labor. Methods: This is a prospective randomized double blind study comparing to regimes of PCEA. Sixty ASA I-II nulliparous women were randomly allocated into 4 groups. Parturients in groups I-II received an initial dose of 10 ml bupivacaine 0.0625% and fentanyl 25 mcg through the epidural catheter. For PCEA, bupivacaine 0.0625%-fentanyl 2 mcg/ml solution was used as 2 ml bolus with 10 min lock-out interval in group I, and 4 ml bolus with 20 min interval in group II. Parturients in groups III-IV received an initial dose of 10 ml bupivacaine 0.125% and fentanyl 25 mcg through the epidural catheter. For PCEA, bupivacaine 0.125%- fentanyl 2 mcg/ml solution was used as 2 ml bolus with 10 min lock-out interval in group III, and 4 ml bolus with 20 min interval in group IV. VAS levels, number of received bolus doses, duration of labor, Apgar scores, maternal satisfaction scores were recorded. Results: In groups III-IV VAS levels were lower than groups I-II during labor and at delivery. Number of received PCEA bolus doses were higher in groups I-II compared to groups III-IV. Duration of labor, and Apgar scores showed no difference between groups. Maternal satisfaction scores were higher in groups III-IV compared to groups I-II. Conclusion: Bupivacaine 0.125%-fentanyl 2 mcg/ml combination offered better analgesia compared to bupivacaine 0.0625%-fentanyl 2 mcg/ ml for PCEA during labor.