OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of epidural ropivacaine in combination with fentanyl for labor analgesia on the clinical outcome of labor.

METHODSA retrospective study was conducted involving 281 healthy primiparas, including 106 undergoing spontaneous labor who received epidural 0.15% ropivacaine in combination with fentany (1microg/ml) and 175 without epidural analgesia. The active phase duration, durations of each labor stages, delivery modes, management of labor, postpartum hemorrhage, incidence of fetal distress and asphyxia neonatorum were recorded in the two groups. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the pain of uterine contraction, and modified Bromage scoring system applied to evaluate the lower limb motor block.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in the duration of the first, third or the total labor stages between the two groups, but the second labor stage was prolonged in the labor analgesia group. The ratio of spontaneous labor, assisted vaginal delivery, and incidence of asphyxia neonatorum were higher, whereas the duration of the active stage was shortened in the analgesia group.

CONCLUSIONEpidural ropivacaine in combination with fentanyl in labor can decrease the incidence of cesarean section, and the duration of the active stage can be shortened with application of ocytocin.