Programmed intermittent epidural bolus at different intervals combined with patient-controlled epidural analgesia on body temperature during labour analgesia

Abstract

Objective: To explore the effects of programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB) combined with patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) at different intervals on body temperature and serum CRP, TNF-α, IL-6 levels in parturient women receiving analgesia. Study Design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: The First Affiliated Hospital of Shaoyang University, China, from September 2018 to February 2020. Methodology: One hundred and seventy primiparous women, who had vaginal delivery and required labour analgesia, were randomly divided into Groups A and B (n=85 for each group). In both groups, PIEB plus PCEA mode was applied when cervical dilatation reached 2-3 cm. The interval was 30 minutes with a pulse dose of 5 mL in Group A; and 60 minutes with a pulse dose of 10 mL in Group B. Indicators related to body temperature and serum markers were compared in both the groups. Result: Maternal temperature in Group A was higher than that in Group B at the time of cervix being completely dilated, and 2 hours after delivery (both p <0.001). incidence of intrapartum fever in Group A was higher than that in Group B (p = 0.036). Epidural analgesic dosage, VAS score, serum CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels in Group A were higher than those in Group B at two hours after delivery (all p <0.001). Conclusions: PIEB plus PCEA mode at regular intervals of 60 minutes can reduce epidural analgesic dosage and incidence of intrapartum fever during delivery, thus exerting better analgesic effects.