RÉSUMÉ
Objective:To evaluate the optimization efficacy of ropivacaine mixed with nalbuphine for epidural labor analgesia through comparison with ropivacaine mixed with sufentanil in primiparas.Methods:Four hundred and forty primiparas with a singleton fetus in vertex presentation without abnormal fetus, aged 19-36 yr, at 37-42 weeks of gestation, who were suitable and volunteered to receive epidural labor analgesia, were selected and randomly divided into observation group (NR group, n=220) and conventional group (C group, n=220).Epidural labor analgesia solution contained nalbuphine 40 mg and ropivacaine 120 mg in 150 ml of normal saline in group NR.Epidural labor analgesia solution contained sufentanil 50 μg and ropivacaine 120 mg in 150 ml of normal saline in group C. The analgesia pump was set up to deliver a 5 ml bolus dose with a 20-min lockout interval, programmed intermittent bolus 10-15 ml/h and background infusion at 2 ml/h after an initial dose of 15 ml to maintain VAS score <3.The length of labor, adverse reactions during labor analgesia, neonatal Apgar score, parameters of umbilical artery blood gas analysis and neonatal behavioral neurological assessment score were recorded. Results:Compared with group C, the incidence of urinary retention, pruritus, nausea and vomiting and fever at birth was significantly decreased in group NR ( P<0.05).The duration of the first and second stages of labor, neonatal Apgar score, pH value of umbilical artery blood, lactate concentrations, and neonatal behavioral neurological assessment score were within the normal range in both groups, and there was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with conventional medication, nalbuphine mixed with ropivacaine has the same efficacy when used for epidural labor analgesia in primiparas, but it has a certain optimization efficacy in terms of safety.