Epidural analgesia supplemented with lidocaine reduces maternal fever during labor: a randomized controlled trial

The co-administration of neuraxial drugs can enhance analgesic effects and reduce adverse events associated with epidural labor analgesia. This study aimed to explore the effects of epidural analgesia supplemented with lidocaine on maternal intrapartum fever.

The control group received epidural analgesia with 0.1% ropivacaine and fentanyl 2 μg/mL, while Group L received epidural analgesia with 0.3% lidocaine, 0.1% ropivacaine, and fentanyl 2 μg/mL. Maternal temperature, pain intensity, fetal heart rate, and labor outcomes were recorded. Adverse events, if any, were also documented.

Initially, 400 women were enrolled in this study. Ultimately, 184 were assigned to the control group (n = 184), and 186 were assigned to Group L (n = 186). The incidence of intrapartum fever was lower in Group L than in the control group (3.8% vs. 9.2%; odds ratio = 0.384, 95% CI [0.155-0.950], P = 0.032). The onset of anesthesia was shorter in Group L than in the control group (9.8 ± 2.0 vs. 10.8 ± 2.3 min, P < 0.01). The visual analog scale scores 4 h after analgesia were lower in Group L than in the control group (P < 0.05).

Epidural analgesia supplemented with lidocaine reduced the incidence of intrapartum fever and accelerated the onset of analgesia without increasing maternal or neonatal complications.

https://www.chictr.org.cn/, Identifier, ChiCTR2300075546.