Abstract: Objective To evaluate effects and safety of sufentanil for labor analgesia as compared with fentanyl.Methods One hundred and twenty ASA Ⅰ full term primipara who were 25～28 years old and had a single fetus were expected to have a vaginal delivery and were randomly divided into 3 groups: group S(n=40),sufentanil 0.5 mg/L+0.1% ropivacaine in pump,group F(n=40),fentanyl 2 mg/L+0.1% ropivacaine in pump,group C(n=40),received no analgesia.The VAS score,first inject drug time,cervix dilation,uterine intermittent of uterus contraction,mode of delivery,postpartum hemorrhage,amount of oxytocin required and Apgar score of neonates were recorded.Results Compared to group C,group S and group F had higher rate of satisfactory analgesia(P<(0.01)).There was no difference in VAS score(P>0.05) between group S and group F.There was no significant difference in brith process time,intermittent of uterus contraction,mode of delivery,postpartum hemorrhage,amount of oxytocin required,rate of neonatal asphyxia and cesarean section,degree of motor block(P>0.05).There was the first stage of labor shortened tendency with group S.Conclusion Epidural anesthesia with sufentanil is effective and safety for labor analgesia,the active stage of labor can be shortened.

Key words: sufentanil, fentanyl, epidural anaesthesia, labor analgesia