Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effects of Esketamine combining Sufentanil in labor analgesia and their impacts on postpartum depression. METHODS: This was a retrospective study. One hundred and fifty primiparae with spontaneous labor were selected at SSL Central Hospital of Dongguan City from July 10, 2021 to May 10, 2022 as the research objects and randomly divided into two groups (each n=75). While the control group underwent epidural infusion of Sufentanil for analgesia, the study group was administered Esketamine combining Sufentanil. Compared analgesic effects, time of birth course, adverse reactions, pain intensity, scores assigned to depression and anxiety before analgesia and after delivery were made for pregnant women in both groups. RESULTS: The response rates of the study and control groups reached 100% and 93%, respectively, with statistically significant differences (p=0.02). The time of the first, second, and third stages of labor in the study group were all significantly lower than that of the control group; showing statistical significance (p=0.00). Regarding adverse reactions showed no statistically significant differences (p=0.44). Moreover, the study group showed noticeably lower pain intensity than those of the control group during delivery, 20 minutes and one hour after delivery; and their differences were statistically significant (p=0.00). After delivery, both the SAS and SDS of the study group were respectively lower than those of the control group, with statistically significant differences as well (p=0.00). CONCLUSIONS: Applying Esketamine combining Sufentanil in epidural painless delivery produces rather favorable analgesic effects, shortens the time of the birth process, and improves postpartum anxiety and depression without leading to more adverse reactions.