Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of dural puncture epidural (DPE) combined with programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB) for labor analgesia in parturients.Methods:A total of 200 primiparas of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ, who were at full-term with a singleton fetus in vertex presentation and requested natural childbirth and intraspinal analgesia were selected and divided into 2 groups ( n=100 each) according to a computer-generated random number table: epidural block alone+ PIEB group (group E) and DPE+ PIEB group (group D). After successful epidural puncture, epidural catheter was placed in the epidural cavity, and the depth was 3-4 cm in group E. In group D, spinal needle was used for intrathecal needle puncture after successful epidural puncture, the posterior epidural catheter was placed in the epidural cavity, and the depth was 3-4 cm.The epidural pulse pump (0.08% ropivacaine plus sufentanil 0.4 μg /ml) was connected and was set up to deliver a 5-ml bolus dose with initial dose 10 ml, a 20-min lockout interval and background infusion at a rate of 10 ml/h.The onset time of analgesia, development of the sensory block reaching S 2 within 30 min after administration, development of motor block, effective pressing times and consumption, requirement of ropivacaine for rescue analgesia, ropivacaine consumption and delivery mode were recorded.The development of hypotension, pruritus, nausea, vomiting, headache after puncture and fetal bradycardia were recorded.The Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min after delivery were recorded and the parturients were followed up on 1 day after delivery for the scores for satisfaction with analgesia. Results:Compared with group E, the onset time of analgesia was significantly shortened, the ratio of sensory block reaching S 2 was increased, analgesia pump pressing times and ropivacaine consumption were decreased ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the incidence of motor block, the requirement for rescue analgesic, the scores for parturients′ satisfaction with analgesia, delivery mode, Apgar scores of the neonates and the incidence of adverse reactions in group D ( P>0.05). Conclusion:DPE combined with PIEB for labor analgesia can shorten the onset time of analgesia and provide reliable efficacy and higher safety.