Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of epidural Ropivacaine and its maternal &fetal effect.
Methods: Thirty parturient in early labor at term with single, vertex presentation fetus, following uncomplicated pregnancy, requesting epidural analgesia were enrolled in the study. Routine examination & Laboratory investigations were done. Parturient was received 15ml of Ropivacaine 2mg/ml, subsequent top up doses of 10ml of 2mg /ml every hour were given until labor. Assessment of sensory block, assessment of analgesia, assessment of motor block, maternal haemodynamic changes, duration of 2nd stage and mode of delivery& Apgar score 1 and 5 min. were recorded.
Results: The duration of action of Ropivacaine in the last top up dose 100 ± 10.6min. (Range 88-125min).Time of 2 segments regressions was 51± 3.75min.( range 42-58min).
The mean VAS was 90 (range from 80- 100) before epidural injection, and after 30 min from injection was 20 (range 0 -30). Moderate significant reduction in mean arterial blood pressure occurred at 5, 10, 15 with P- value < 0.01. The duration of 2nd stage of labor was 33.5 ±13.5 min. All neonates had Apgar scores of 7 or more at 1minute and score of 9 or more at 5 minutes.
Conclusion: Ropivacaine is a safe and effective extradural analgesia for labor pain with minimal side effect.