Programmed intermittent epidural bolus as compared to continuous epidural infusion for the maintenance of labor analgesia: a prospective randomized single-blinded controlled trial
- Author:
Christina W FIDKOWSKI
1
;
Sonalee SHAH
;
Mohamed Rida ALSADEN
Author Information
- Publication Type:Randomized Controlled Trial
- Keywords: Bupivacaine; Continuous epidural infusion; Epidural analgesia; Fentanyl; Induction of labor; Labor analgesia; Programmed intermittent epidural bolus
- MeSH: Analgesia; Analgesia, Epidural; Breakthrough Pain; Bupivacaine; Fentanyl; Humans; Patient Satisfaction; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies
- From:Korean Journal of Anesthesiology 2019;72(5):472-478
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: BACKGROUND: Programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB) techniques are a new area of interest for maintaining labor analgesia due to the potential to decrease motor block and improve labor analgesia. This study compares continuous epidural infusion (CEI) to 2 PIEB regimens for labor analgesia. METHODS: One hundred fifty patients undergoing scheduled induction of labor at term gestation having epidural labor analgesia were randomized to receive an epidural analgesia regimen of bupivacaine 0.125% with fentanyl 2 μg/ml at either PIEB 5 ml every 30 min (Group 5q30), PIEB 10 ml every 60 min (Group 10q60), or 10 ml/h continuous infusion (Group continuous epidural infusion [CEI]). The primary outcome is the pain scores throughout labor. Secondary outcomes include degree of motor block, dermatomal sensory levels, the number of physician-administered boluses, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: While the average pain scores throughout labor did not differ significantly between groups, fewer patients in group 10q60 received physician-administered boluses for breakthrough pain (34.9% in 10q60 vs. 61.0% in 5q30 and 61.9% in CEI, P = 0.022). Dermatomal sensory levels, degree of motor block, and patient satisfaction did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that high volume PIEB regimens for labor analgesia decrease breakthrough pain and physician-administered boluses.
