EPIDURAL ANALGESIA IN NORMAL LABOUR: PROPER DOSING USING ROPIVACAINE

Abstract

The study was carried out as prospective randomised double blinded study on 48 primigravida enrolled during labour ,they were divided into three equal groups , group I received ropivacaine 0.2% 10 ml plus 50 ug fentanyl for induction and ropivacaine O .2 % 10 ml / hour for maintenance, group 11 received ropivacaine 0.15% IO ml plus 50 ug fentanyl for induction and ropivacaine 0.15% l O ml/ hour for maintenance, group III received ropivacaine 0.I % IO ml plus 50 ug fentanyl for induction and ropivacaine 0.1% 10 ml / hour for maintenance. the results showed that ;ropivacaine 0.15% when combined with fentanyl 50 ug is the least effective dose that achieving analgesia in normal labour without motor block, the concetration of 0. 2% had better analgesic results but with increased incidence motor block , the concentration of 0.1 % had poor analgesia and should not be used in normal labour.