Adverse side effects and route of administration of opioids in combined spinal-epidural analgesia for labour: a meta-analysis of randomised trials

Both epidural (ED) and combined spinal-epidural (CSE) techniques are used to provide effective analgesia during labour.1 The latter has become popular because it provides a faster onset of pain relief and better sacral nerve coverage than epidural analgesia.2 To provide effective analgesia an intrathecal and/or epidural combination of local anaesthetic and opioid is usually used.3 –15 Opioids allow a smaller amount of local anaesthetic to be administered and a longer duration of analgesic effect.
Source: International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research