Abstract
Maintenance of labor analgesia with programmed intermittent epidural boluses (PIEBs) has demonstrated benefits over the use of continuous infusions. While programmed intermittent boluses have been used for the maintenance of epidural analgesia, it has not been reported for the maintenance of intrathecal analgesia. Approximately 25% of intrathecal catheters (ITC) ultimately fail, often due to inadequate analgesic coverage. We describe the use of programmed intermittent intrathecal boluses for a laboring parturient who received an ITC. She reported excellent pain relief without significant motor block, high anesthetic block, hypotension, or respiratory distress. This delivery modality may increase the rate of ITC after unintentional dural puncture (UDP).