New techniques and drugs for epidural labor analgesia.
Several new techniques and medications are available for epidural labor analgesia. Two significant additions are ropivacaine and levobupivacaine. This article reviews the current applications of these drugs on the labor ward. The clinical implications of patient controlled epidural analgesia and ambulatory epidural techniques are discussed. The controversies surrounding epidural test dose and fluid preloading are examined.
Drysdale
Scott M
SM
Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Muir
Holly
H
D000577:Amides; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000379:methods*; D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical / Q000379:methods*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000737:chemistry; D003000:Clonidine; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D009388:Neostigmine; D011247:Pregnancy; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D016138:Walking
D000577:Amides; D000700:Analgesics; D009388:Neostigmine; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D003000:Clonidine; D002045:Bupivacaine