For epidural labor analgesia, the combination of 0.5 µg/ml sufentanil and 0.1% ropivacaine extended the duration of first stage of labor. However, it did not exhibit additional influence on the neonatal and maternal outcomes when compared to 0.167 % ropivacaine. Researchers undertook this retrospective cohort study for investigating the effect of epidurally administered sufentanil combined with low-concentration ropivacaine on neonatal and maternal outcomes.

Collection of data of singleton full-term pregnancy females who were given epidural labor analgesia for vaginal delivery was done. Based on the distinct medication regimens for epidural labor analgesia, parturients were segregated into either the R group (1994 parturients) or SR group (1784 parturients). In R group, epidural analgesia during labor was carried out with 0.167% ropivacaine alone while in SR group, epidural analgesia during labor was carried out with 0.1 % ropivacaine plus 0.5 µg/ml sufentanil.

The major endpoints were duration of labor progress and the occurrence of maternal fever, fetal distress, postpartum hemorrhage, and neonatal Apgar scores less than seven at one and five minutes. The occurrence of episiotomy, caesarean section, instrumental delivery, and grade III meconium-stained amniotic fluid were the secondary endpoints.

Overall, 3778 deliveries occurred during the study. Length of first stage of labor was considerably shorter in R group in comparison to SR group, as shown in Table 1: 

In terms of occurrence of maternal fever, postpartum hemorrhage, fetal distress and neonatal Apgar scores, no inter-group profound differences were noted. Other maternal endpoints were comparable in both the study groups.