The use of intrapartum intrathecal narcotic analgesia in a community-based hospital.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of intrapartum intrathecal narcotic analgesia in the obstetric population of our community-based hospital.

METHODS

A protocol to administer intrapartum intrathecal narcotic analgesia was established at our institution in December 1992. All patients consenting to this procedure received a single lumbar intrathecal injection of 25 micrograms fentanyl and 0.25 mg morphine sulfate through a 25-gauge spinal needle. Only those patients with singleton pregnancies in the vertex presentation were included in this study. The study group was matched by gravidity and parity with singleton pregnancies delivered during the study period. Patients in the study group were asked to complete an analgesia satisfaction survey using a five-point Likert scale ranging from 0 for total dissatisfaction to 5 for total satisfaction.

RESULTS

A total of 75 patients were assigned to each group; the control and study groups were similar with respect to age, race, estimated gestational age, infant birth weight, interval between rupture of membranes and delivery, and mode of delivery. The length of the first and second stages of labor and the incidence of fetal malposition were not significantly different between the two groups. Frequent side effects of this analgesia included complaints of pruritus (81.3%), urinary retention (53.3%), and nausea and vomiting (44.0%). Headaches were less common (9.3%), with two (2.7%) of seven patients requiring an epidural blood patch for relief. Infrequent side effects included respiratory depression (1.3%) and oversedation (1.3%). Patients were generally satisfied with the degree of pain relief obtained, rating it highly during the first and second stages of labor and in comparison to their previous labor experience.

CONCLUSION

The use of intrapartum intrathecal narcotic analgesia provides a satisfactory level of pain relief without disrupting the normal course of labor.