Comparison of computer-integrated patient-controlled epidural analgesia and patient-controlled epidural analgesia with a basal infusion for labour and delivery.

Computer-integrated patient-controlled epidural analgesia (CIPCEA) is a novel epidural drug delivery system. It automatically adjusts the background infusion based on the individual parturient's need for analgesia as labour progresses. In this randomised controlled trial, we compared the local anaesthetic consumption by parturients using either CIPCEA or patient-controlled epidural analgesia with a moderate basal infusion (PCEABI) of 5 ml/hour. We recruited 60 parturients after receiving ethics committee approval. Group CIPCEA (n = 30) received a similar patient-controlled epidural analgesia regimen but the computer integration titrated the background infusion to 5, 10 or 15 ml/hour if the patient required respectively one, two or three demand boluses in the previous hour. The background infusion was decreased by 5 ml/hour if there was no demand in the previous hour. Group PCEABI received patient-controlled epidural analgesia with a basal infusion of 5 ml/hour. The sample size was calculated to show equivalence in local anaesthetic use. The time-weighted consumption of local anaesthetic was similar in both groups (mean difference 0.3 mg/hour 95% confidence interval: -1.8, 1.3, P = 0.755). The CIPCEA group had higher maternal satisfaction scores: mean (SD) 94.8 (6.32) vs. 85.5 (9.41), P = 0.0001. The CIPCEA group had a higher infusion rate during the second stage of labour (mean (SD) 7.0 (4.1) ml/hour vs. 4.5 (1.5) ml/hour P = 0.008), but did not have a longer duration of this stage. There were no differences between the groups in obstetric or foetal outcomes or side-effect profiles. The CIPCEA system has similar time-weighted, hourly consumption of local anaesthetic to PCEABI and may increase patient satisfaction.