[Epidural analgesia in 20 parturients at the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital Center in Lomé (Togo)].

We conducted a prospective and descriptive study on epidural analgesia (EA) at the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital Center in Lomé from February to June 2014. After taking consent from pregnant women selected by simple random sampling and in the absence of contraindication for anesthesia (pre-anesthetic assessment performed in their 8th month of pregnancy), women were enrolled. Out of 29 selected women, 20 (69%) underwent EA. The average age was 30.6 ± 6.6 years: primiparas 35%, multiparas 50%, Obese women (BMI> 30)25%. Average number of punctures: 1.2 ± 0.5; blood reflux into the catheter: 5%; dural puncture: 0. Delay for anesthesia induction: 8.5 ± 2, 2mn. Mean dosage of 0.125% isobaric bupivacaine: 28.8 ± 8ml; digital scale at T10min <3 for all parturient women. Motor block: 0. Hypotension: 1 case (5%). Mode of delivery: vaginal births 19 (95%), cesarean section 1 (5%). Respiratory distress in the newborn: 0. Level of satisfaction: 9,8 ± 0.5 / 10. Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital Center in Lomé provides obstetric EA. While awaiting its availability to all parturient women based on human and material resources, the use of epidural analgesia in the presence of medical indications would be a first step.