Saddle spinal is a reliable method for control of pain during labor. This method has rapid onset and causes complete sensory block without significant influence on motor neurons.Our goal was to compare the analgesic efficacy and side effects of pethidine and sufentanil via saddle spinal administration during labor.600 parturients requesting analgesia were randomly divided into 2 groups. First group was composed of 300 patients received 0.4 mg/kg pethidine and the second group was composed of 300 patients received 0.1 μg/kg sufentanil. Then, analgesia according to Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), itching, nausea, apnea and urinary retention were examined between 2 groups.VAS=3 was noted in both groups. Equal rate of apnea was seen in both groups. Patients received pethidine showed significantly a higher rate of nausea compared with sufentanil group (P<0.0001). Pruritus was significantly higher in patients received sufantanil (P<0.0001).Our findings suggest that saddle spinal by pethidine or sufentanil causes a considerable analgesia for labor. Proper management of the untoward effects of this method may introduce it as a safe and low-cost method for painless labor.
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