A single epidural administration of butorphanol combined with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia relieves postpartum contraction pain after cesarean section: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Numerous studies have shown that butorphanol exerts an inhibitory effect on visceral pain. The aim of this study was to observe the effects of a single epidural administration of butorphanol combined with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia on postpartum uterine contraction pain after cesarean section.

Methods: We randomly allotted 121 women undergoing cesarean section surgery procedure to 3 groups: 31 cases were excluded; and 90 cases were divided into group S (blank control, n = 30), group I (intravenous butorphanol, n = 30), and group E (butorphanol administered into the epidural cavity, n = 30). We then observed changes in the indices of uterine contraction pain and intraoperative stretch pain for the 3 groups.

Results: (1) In terms of the uterine contraction pain, the visual analog scale scores of group I were lower than those for group S at 10 minutes (P = .001), 20 minutes (P < .001), 30 minutes (P < .001), 1 hour (P < .001), 2 hours (P < .001), and 4 hours (P < .001) after the epidural administration. The visual analog scale scores of group E were lower than those of group I at 10 minutes (P < .001), 20 minutes (P < .001), 30 minutes (P < .001), 1 hour (P < .001), 2 hours (P < .001), 4 hours (P < .001), and 6 hours (P < .001) after the administration. (2) In terms of intraoperative traction reactions, sedation, and comfort during the operation, group E was superior to groups S and I at any time points (all P < .043).

Conclusions: Butorphanol single epidural administration combined with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia can effectively reduce the pain of uterine contraction and intraoperative traction reaction and improve perioperative comfort of the parturient.