Continuous Versus Intermittent Administration of Epidural Analgesia During Labor

prospective randomized single blind study, including full term adult parturients, ASA 2, 3 status, scheduled for vaginal delivery. patients were randomized at 3 cm of cervix dilatation, into 2 groups. Epidural analgesia was initiated and maintained with a solution of Bupivacaine 0,125% and Sufentanil 0,25 mcg/ml. After an initial bolus of 16 ML, patients were randomly assigned to receive intermittent boluses of 8 ml every 60 minutes after the initial dose followed by supplementary PCEA boluses of 8 ml for the first group ( PCEA group) or a continuous epidural infusion at the rate of 8 ml/h adjustable and starting immediately after The initial bolus of 16 ml for patients of the second group (CEI Group).