Continuous epidural infusion versus programmed-intermittent epidural bolus for labor analgesia and vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery rates: a retrospective cohort study (2020–2021)
Main findingResult — go to the resultOdds ratio 1.07 95% CI 0.94–1.22Authors' conclusion
PIEB/PCEA was associated with comparable rates of vacuum-assisted delivery as CEI/PCEA, with lower rates of physician-administered epidural boluses, suggesting better quality of labor epidural analgesia with PIEB/PCEA.
Study context
- Population
- Women with labor epidural analgesia; no exclusion criteria
- Participants
- 7,610 women
- Exposure
- Programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB)/patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) vs CEI/PCEA for labor epidural analgesia maintenance
- PIEB/PCEAn = 3,676
- CEI/PCEAn = 3,934reference
- Outcome
- Vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery rate
Methodological detailsbefore-after implementation, single-institution
- Before-after implementation
- Single-institution
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Odds ratio
1.07
95% CI 0.94–1.22
P = 0.34
By group
PIEB/PCEA vs CEI/PCEA
OR 1.07 (95% CI 0.94–1.22); P = 0.34
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
- Less likely to receive physician-administered epidural boluses with PIEB/PCEA
Original publication
Continuous epidural infusion versus programmed-intermittent epidural bolus for labor analgesia and vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery rates: a retrospective cohort study (2020–2021). Int J Obstet Anesth. Published 25 April 2025. doi:10.
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