Spinal Sufentanil for Obstetric Analgesia

Background: This descriptive study was designed to evaluate effects and adverse effects of spinal sufentanil for relief of labor pain in primi- and multiparous women. Methods: The retrospective study design was approved by the regional Human Research Ethics Review Board, Lund, Sweden (Dnr 2015/687). The investigators included 164 (82 primi- and 82 multiparous) obstetrical patients given 10 µg of intrathecal sufentanil for labor pain. Any maternal hypotension, third- or fourth-degree perineal tear, intrapartum Cesarean section, abnormal fetal heart rate, low Apgar score, use of neonatal intensive care, postdural puncture headache, epidural blood patch, and breastfeeding problem was recorded. Major outcome measures were maternal satisfaction with pain relief, and provision of supplementary analgesia.