Comparison of motor block in continuous epidural infusion vs intermittent epidural bolus using bupivacaine with fentanyl for labour analgesia

This study aimed to compare the motor blocking effect of Continuous Epidural Infusion (CEI) vs Intermittent Epidural Bolus (IEB) for labour analgesia using bupivacaine 0.0625% and fentanyl 4 μg/ml. Sixty primigravida patients were divided into groups of 30 that received a loading dose of 10 ml of 0.0625% bupivacaine and 4 μg/ml fentanyl in 5 ml with subsequent continuous infusion or intermittent boluses. Motor block level, blood pressure, heart rate, pain severity, maternal satisfaction, and neonatal Apgar scores were noted. All 60 participants completed the study. There were no statistical differences between the groups in Bromage score (p-value=0.837), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (p-value=0.482). The incidence of hypotension was 15% and 0% in groups I and II, with a p-value of 0.036. APGAR scores were >7 in both groups. Analgesia was rated satisfactory by 70% and 63% of the participants in groups I and II, respectively (p<0.736). Labour analgesia was achieved with a minimal motor block in both groups. Hemodynamic parameters, pain score, Apgar scores, and maternal satisfaction were similar in both groups.