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Background and Objectives: Pain treatment involves the usage of common and opioid analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and adjuvant analgesics. Traditionally, these drugs are administered systemically or into the neuraxis. However, when analgesics are applied through these pathways, they are associated with significant side effects, which can hinder its use. Topical administration of analgesics is an alternative. The objective of this paper is to discuss topical analgesics, the mechanisms of action and clinical efficacy., Content: This is a review paper addressing the usage of the topical local anesthetics: capsaicin, clonidine, tricyclic antidepressants, ketamine, opioids and cannabinoids, discussing mechanism of action and effectiveness., Conclusions: Topical analgesics are promising as a strategy for pain treatment, as they are associated with lower incidence of side effects. The benefit of local anesthetics, NSAID's and capsaicin is well established. However, the efficacy of clonidine, tricyclic antidepressants, ketamine, opioids and cannabinoids is still questionable. Studies have shown that the multimodal approach is an alternative, but studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objectives: Osteogenesis Imperfecta is a rare condition, especially in obstetric patients. It has an estimated prevalence of 1/10,000 in the general population, and 1/25,000 to 30,000 in obstetric patients. The objective of this report was to present a rare case of a pregnant woman with Osteogenesis Imperfecta undergoing cesarean section., Case Report: This is a 23 years old gravida on the 38th week, admitted to the maternity ward with loss of amniotic fluid and contractions for four hours, associated with the absence of fetal movements for four days. The patient had a mild form of Osteogenesis Imperfecta without other comorbidities. She was not taking any medication, and she did not have prenatal follow-up. The patient underwent spinal anesthesia in the L(3)-L(4) space, median approach, with a single puncture with a 27G Quincke needle and the administration of hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine (10 mg) and morphine (60 microg). She was discharged in the second postoperative day without complaints., Conclusions: Fertility is preserved, especially in those patients with type I of the disease, and pregnancy can be carried to term. Delivery is usually surgical due to pelvic deformities in the gravida, cephalopelvic disproportion, and increased incidence of abnormal fetal presentation. The importance of the anesthesiologist in the surgical team relies on the perioperative management and the choice of the most appropriate anesthetic technique for each patient., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)