https://doi.org/10.4081/pjm.2025.330

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

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2025)
Submitted: 20 April 2023
Accepted: 24 March 2025
Published: 16 April 2025
Motor block, continuous epidural infusion, intermittent epidural bolus, labour analgesia
Abstract Views: 48
PDF: 22
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Authors

Mujahid Muhammad Hassan
Consultant Anaesthetist, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.
Mustapha Miko Mohammed Abdullahi
mustaphamiko@yahoo.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0949-4791
Consultant Anaesthetist, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.
Abdurrahman Ahmad
Consultant Anaesthetist, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.
Dalhat Salahu
Consultant Anaesthetist, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.
Nagoma Abubakar Sadiq Usman
Senior Registrar, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.
Abdullahi Ruqayya Sidi
Consultant Anaesthetist, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.

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.

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How to Cite

Hassan, Mujahid Muhammad, Mustapha Miko Mohammed Abdullahi, Abdurrahman Ahmad, Dalhat Salahu, Nagoma Abubakar Sadiq Usman, and Abdullahi Ruqayya Sidi. 2025. “Comparison of Motor Block in Continuous Epidural Infusion <i>vs< i> Intermittent Epidural Bolus Using Bupivacaine With Fentanyl for Labour Analgesia”. Pyramid Journal of Medicine 8 (1). https://doi.org/10.4081/pjm.2025.330.
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