Background and Objectives. Thirty-seven ASA Physical Status I parturients undergoing elective cesarean delivery were evaluated to determine the effects of subarachnoid sufentanil administration.

Methods. This study was carried out in a randomized, double-blind fashion. All patients received 1.4 ml 0.75% bupivacaine with 8.25% dextrose following 10 μg, 15 μg, or 20 μg sufentanil, or 1 ml of normal saline containing no sufentanil. Onset and duration of sensory and motor anesthesia, duration of complete analgesia, duration of effective analgesia, and intraoperative parenteral opioid requirements were evaluated. Incidence of side effects such as respiratory depression, pruritus, nausea, and vomiting were evaluated.

Results. Duration of complete analgesia and duration of effective analgesia were prolonged significantly in all patient groups receiving sufentanil as compared to control groups receiving no narcotic. Pruritus was significantly increased in patient groups receiving subarachnoid sufentanil. Respiratory depression was not observed in any patient studied. One- and five-minute Apgar scores; umbilical, venous, and arterial blood gas results; and Early Neonatal Neurobehavioral Scale results were all within normal limits and were not significantly different among the groups.