Comparison of the addition of three different doses of sufentanil to 0.125% bupivacaine given epidurally during labour

In a double-blind, randomised, prospective study 150 women in labour received intermittent epidural injections of 10 ml 0.125% bupivacaine with adrenaline (1:800,000) with 5, 7.5 or 10 micrograms of sufentanil added. The onset, duration, and quality of analgesia were compared. Motor block, type of delivery and neonatal Apgar scores were noted. The onset, duration, and quality of analgesia were generally similar in the three groups, except following the second injection when the quality of analgesia was significantly superior in the sufentanil 7.5 and 10 micrograms groups. Motor blockade and type of delivery did not differ between the groups and there were no differences in neonatal Apgar scores. No patient required more than three injections. We conclude that 7.5 micrograms sufentanil is the optimal dose to add to intermittent epidural injections of 10 ml 0.125% bupivacaine with adrenaline (1:800,000) for pain relief in labour.