Programmed Intermittent Epidural Bolus Versus Continuous Epidural Infusion for Termination of Pregnancy Analgesia

Programmed Intermittent Epidural Bolus Versus Continuous Epidural Infusion for Second Trimester Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy Analgesia: a Randomized Study.

This study included women who underwent voluntary second trimester termination of pregnancy. Patients were randomized to programmed intermittent epidural anesthetic bolus or continuous epidural infusion for pain analgesia. In this randomized, double-blind study, the investigators assess the incidence of motor block (primary outcome), degree of satisfaction of the patients, total levobupivacaine and sufentanil consumption and adverse events (secondary outcomes) between the two study groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age ≥ 18 years
• pregnancy at second trimester
• willingness of voluntary interrupt the pregnancy
• comprehension of Italian Language
• baseline pain score ≥ 30 on a 100-mm visual analog pain scale (VAPS)

Exclusion Criteria:

• contraindication to epidural analgesia and to narcotics
• history of drug abuse or chronic use
• maternal disease (such as severe asthma, cardiac, liver or kidney disease)
• inability to comprehend or comply with the analgesia pain management procedures.