Open AccessPatient satisfaction between remifentanil patient‐controlled analgesia and epidural analgesia for labor pain
Author(s) -
Frauenfelder Sascha,
Rijn Rita,
Radder Celine M.,
Vries Myrtille C.,
Dijksman Lea M.,
Godfried Marc B.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/aogs.12694
Subject(s) - medicine , remifentanil , patient satisfaction , anesthesia , labor pain , prospective cohort study , pain score , pain relief , pregnancy , surgery , biology , propofol , genetics
The aim of this study was to compare patient satisfaction between remifentanil patient‐controlled analgesia ( RPCA ) and epidural analgesia ( EA ) for labor pain. Material and methods This prospective cohort study was carried out on primiparous women requesting analgesia for labor at a Teaching Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Women self‐selected the analgesia of choice ( RPCA n = 166 and EA n = 124) and were asked to complete the Woman's Views of Birth Labour Satisfaction Questionnaire ( WOMBSLQ ), within 24 h (T0), 3 months (T3) and 6 months (T6) after birth. The WOMBSLQ comprises 11 subscales, including pain during labor and general satisfaction. The main outcome measure was general satisfaction. Results There was no significant difference in the subscale of general satisfaction with labor and delivery (maximum of 14 points) between both groups at all three time points [median score at T0 for RPCA was 12 vs. 13 for the EA group ( p = 0.95); at T3: 12 vs. 12, respectively ( p = 0.41); and at T6: 12 vs. 12, respectively ( p = 0.69)]. Women in the EA group had significantly better pain relief (maximum of 21 points) at all three time points [median score at T0 for RPCA was 14 vs. 18 for the EA group ( p < 0.001); at T3: 13 vs. 17, respectively ( p = 0.002); and at T6: 13 vs. 17, respectively ( p = 0.003)]. Conclusion Both self‐selected groups did not differ in general satisfaction with labor and delivery at all three time points after birth despite a significantly higher experienced pain in the RPCA group.