JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The safety of epidural analgesia in labour and its effect on delivery--a case control study in Pakistani women.
To assess the safety and effect of epidural analgesia on the course of labour and delivery in Pakistani women, a retrospective case control study was conducted from November, 1986 to November, 1991 (5 years) at the Aga Khan University Medical Centre, Karachi. All patients (n = 64) who received epidural analgesia for labour (cases) were compared with randomly selected patients (n = 18) who did not receive epidural analgesia during labour (controls). ⋯ The incidence of malposition of foetal vertex at delivery and that of instrumental (forceps) deliveries was significantly higher (P < 0.05 and < 0.01 respectively) in the epidural group as compared to controls. The incidence of complications was low and the acceptance and tolerance of epidural analgesia was good in our patients.