• S N Lindeberg, T Thorén, and U Hanson.
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orebro Medical Center Hospital, Orebro, Sweden. solveig.lindeberg@telia.com
• Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. 2001 Oct 1; 98 (2): 193-8.

ObjectiveTo prospectively evaluate if a high rate of epidural analgesia (EDA) with bupivacaine-sufentanil is consistent with a low rate of caesarean section, instrumental deliveries and dystocia and to evaluate maternal and fetal adverse effects of sufentanil.Study DesignPopulations-based prospective descriptive study. A change of EDA from bupivacaine to low dose bupivacaine-sufentanil at the delivery unit of the hospital during 1993 resulted in a marked increase in the rate of EDA. The outcome from the study period (1994-1995) was compared to the outcome during a reference period 1991-1992.ResultsThere were no significant differences in the incidence of caesarean section and instrumental delivery for dystocia between the two periods (4.4 and 4.6%). The overall incidence of caesarean section, 9.6% and instrumental deliveries, 6.4% during the study period was lower than or comparable to the national background data (11.1 and 6.8%, respectively) while the EDA rate was markedly higher 37.8 versus 21.9%.ConclusionA high rate of EDA, using low dose bupivacaine and sufentanil is consistent with a low rate of caesarean section and instrumental deliveries. No apparent negative effects on the neonates or mothers were observed.

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