Walking with labor epidural analgesia: the impact of bupivacaine concentration and a lidocaine-epinephrine test dose.
BACKGROUND
Regional analgesia techniques for labor that permit ambulation are popular among parturients. This study evaluated the influence of bupivacaine bolus concentration and a 3-ml 1.5% lidocaine-epinephrine test dose, on analgesic effectiveness and the ability to walk after block placement.


METHODS
Using a randomized double-blind study design, epidural analgesia was initiated in 60 parturients undergoing labor as follows: Group TD/B.0625 received a 3-ml lidocaine-epinephrine test dose + 12 ml bupivacaine, 0.0625%; group TD/B.125 received a 3-ml test dose + 12 ml bupivacaine, 0.125%; group B.0625 received 15 ml bupivacaine, 0.0625% (no test dose); and group B.125 received 15 ml bupivacaine, 0.125% (no test dose). Initial boluses in all groups contained 10 microg sufentanil. Bupivacaine, 0.0625%, with 0.33 microg/ml sufentanil was infused throughout labor at 13.5-15 ml/h. Analgesia balance, proprioception, motor block, and patient ability to stand and walk were evaluated at various intervals.


RESULTS
A bolus of 0.125% bupivacaine containing sufentanil, without a previous test dose, proved to be optimal with respect to analgesia and early ambulation. When a test dose was given before bupivacaine, 0.125%, fewer women walked within 1 h of block placement. Bupivacaine, 0.0625%, with sufentanil, with or without a test dose, provided inadequate analgesia, necessitating additional bupivacaine, which impaired the ability to walk. A high percentage of women in all groups (73-93%) walked at some stage during labor.


CONCLUSIONS
Omitting a lidocaine-epinephrine test dose and using 0.125% bupivacaine for the initial bolus should permit ambulation in the early postblock period for most parturients who elect this option.
Cohen
S E
SE
Department of Anesthesia, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305, USA. secohen@leland.stanford.edu
Yeh
J Y
JY
Riley
E T
ET
Vogel
T M
TM
D000328:Adult; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural; D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011247:Pregnancy; D014554:Urination; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016138:Walking
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D008012:Lidocaine; D002045:Bupivacaine; D004837:Epinephrine