Reduction in labor pain by intrathecal midazolam as an adjunct to sufentanil

BACKGROUND Anesthesia today has strived to decrease labor pain in a tolerable and controllable fashion. Intrathecal midazolam has been introduced as an adjunct to analgesics. The study was planned to assess the efficacy, safety and duration of analgesia produced by intrathecal midazolam adjunct to sufentanil in decreasing labor pain. METHODS In a randomized clinical trial 80 parturient included in the study. The two groups were matched for age, cervical dilation, gravid, gestational age, and other demographic characteristics. Combination of sufentanil and midazolam administered intrathecally to experimental group and compared to sufentanil group. Time to reach maximum block, and pain score was measured and recorded. RESULTS Groups were matched for age and weight and other demographic characteristic. No significant adverse effect was seen in both groups including decrease in Apgar score. Duration of analgesia was 92.0 ± 12.7 in sufentanil group and 185.2 ± 15.2 minutes in midazolam and sufentanil group which was significantly different (P = 0.002). Numeric rating scale score was significantly lower in midazolam group compare to sufentanil group at 120 min (P = 0.01), 150 min (P = 0.0014), and 180 min (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Intrathecal midazolam as an adjunct to opioid could significantly enhance analgesia in labor pain with no significant adverse effect. Intrathecal injection of midazolam is an appropriate alternative to parenteral or epidural analgesia in small hospital settings.