Patient satisfaction between remifentanil patient-controlled analgesia and epidural analgesia for labor pain

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to compare patient satisfaction between remifentanil patient-controlled analgesia (RPCA) and epidural analgesia (EA) for labor pain. Material and methodsThis 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 24h (T0), 3months (T3) and 6months (T6) after birth. The WOMBSLQ comprises 11 subscales, including pain during labor and general satisfaction. The main outcome measure was general satisfaction. ResultsThere 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)]. ConclusionBoth 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.