A Randomised Prospective Comparative Study on Efficacy of Ropivacaine with Fentanyl and Ropivacaine with Clonidine in Labour Analgesia

We have performed a randomized, double-blinded comparison of two epidural drug regimens for analgesia in labour. In fentanyl group 40 healthy parturient received 0.2 % ropivacaine with fentanyl. In clonidine group 40 healthy parturient received 0.2 % ropivacaine with clonidine. Both groups received an initial dose of 10 ml, and top-up dose of 10 ml. The two groups were compared for complete analgesia at 20 min. Hemodynamic changes, height of sensory, patient visual analogue score, mode of delivery, drug dosage requirement, patient assessment of motor blockade. Patient received ropivacaine with fentanyl ( median 1.0 Vs.2.0 p=0.001) is significant. The ropivacaine and fentanyl group was more likely to be pain free in the second stage of labour. There was no significance in patient assessment of motor blockade or mode of delivery between the groups. Pain relief and satisfaction score from patients was consistently better in ropivacaine with fentanyl group.