Yu WQ, Zhu ZQ, Tang FS. Advances in epidural labor analgesia: Effectiveness and treatment strategies of butorphanol. World J Clin Cases 2024; 12(34): 6669-6673 [DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i34.6669]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Fu-Shan Tang, PhD, Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Guizhou Province and School of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, No. 6 Xuefu West Road, Xinpu New District, Zunyi 563006, Guizhou Province, China. fstang@vip.163.com
Research Domain of This Article
Anesthesiology
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Clin Cases. Dec 6, 2024; 12(34): 6669-6673 Published online Dec 6, 2024. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i34.6669
Advances in epidural labor analgesia: Effectiveness and treatment strategies of butorphanol
Wan-Qiu Yu, Zhao-Qiong Zhu, Fu-Shan Tang
Wan-Qiu Yu, Zhao-Qiong Zhu, Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563003, Guizhou Province, China
Zhao-Qiong Zhu, Early Clinical Research Ward, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563003, Guizhou Province, China
Fu-Shan Tang, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Guizhou Province and School of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, Guizhou Province, China
Co-corresponding authors: Zhao-Qiong Zhu and Fu-Shan Tang.
Author contributions: Yu WQ contributed to the initial draft and revision of the manuscript; Tang FS contributed to idea generation and revision of the manuscript; Zhu ZQ provided discussion and supervision; All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Fu-Shan Tang, PhD, Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Guizhou Province and School of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, No. 6 Xuefu West Road, Xinpu New District, Zunyi 563006, Guizhou Province, China. fstang@vip.163.com
Received: March 19, 2024 Revised: August 28, 2024 Accepted: September 3, 2024 Published online: December 6, 2024 Processing time: 206 Days and 21 Hours
Abstract
In this editorial, we provide a critical review of the article by Tang et al published in the World J Clin Cases, focusing on the utilization of butorphanol for epidural analgesia during labor. Our discussion encompasses recent research developments in epidural labor analgesia, specifically highlighting the current status of clinical applications of butorphanol and associated treatment approaches. Epidural analgesia is widely acknowledged as the primary method for pain management during labor, offering effective and prolonged pain relief while allowing mothers to remain alert and actively participate in the delivery process. Among the various drugs utilized for epidural labor analgesia, butorphanol has received increasing attention due to its potential efficacy and distinctive pharmacological properties. As a synthetic opioid analgesic, butorphanol exhibits both agonistic and antagonistic activity on opioid receptors, striking a balance between analgesia and minimizing side effects. Nevertheless, the safety and efficacy of butorphanol in epidural labor analgesia remains controversial. While certain studies have reported positive outcomes with butorphanol, including effective pain relief and a reduced incidence of side effects, others have raised concerns about its safety and efficacy compared to traditional opioids or alternative analgesics. In addition, the optimal dosing strategy and regimen of butorphanol as an adjuvant in epidural labor analgesia still need to be verified. Through comprehensive synthesis and analysis of existing literature, we aim to evaluate the current evidence regarding the use of butorphanol for epidural labor analgesia, delineate areas of consensus and controversy, and propose future avenues for research and clinical practice in this domain.
Core Tip: The clinical application and therapeutic approaches of butorphanol as a pharmacological adjunct for epidural labor analgesia warrant thorough discussion. While some studies endorse its effectiveness in providing pain relief, debates persist regarding its safety and comparative performance against alternative medications. Subsequent research and validation are imperative, particularly concerning its optimal utilization as an adjunct in epidural labor analgesia. This editorial aim to consolidate current research findings, offering supplementary insights for clinical implementation, and advocates for more extensive clinical investigations in the future to holistically assess the efficacy and safety of butorphanol in epidural labor analgesia.
