Epidural Analgesia in Normal Labour: A Com-parison of Lidocaine and Bupivacaine

Epidural catheters were applied in 28 =d-tiparous parturients by using the L3-4 !eve!, 14-15 mi of 1% lidocaine was giren group I (n.14), while the same amou►t <>f 0.375% Bupivacaine to group 11. The quality of analgesia and cefalad spre-ad were simikır. The top up doses were half the pri-mary dosage. The duration for the ►e.t.:in►ing and the duration of analgesia between the iıririrrf doses amongst the two groups were significant (p<0.01). The cardiovascular stability was excellent for the two drugs. No differe►ce was recorded for motor blockade. The Apgar srorage was nonsignifica►t for group 1 in the first and fifth nünutes (p>0.05). The same scores vere significa►i in group 11 (p<0.01). The scores were no►signijicant between the two groups (p>0.05). Both drugs were considered safe and effective in labour analgesia. Because of the less need for top up doses, Bupivacaine was ronsidered more pre-ferable.