BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Factor XI deficiency is a rare hematologic disorder. 
Hemophilia C (factor XI deficiency) affects both genders and it is usually 
asymptomatic, manifesting only as postoperative hemorrhage. It is an autosomal 
recessive, homozygous or heterozygous, disorder, and its severity depends on the 
levels of factor XI. The objective of this report was to present the anesthetic 
strategy in a patient with hemophilia C.
CASE REPORT: This is a 32 years old female, gravida 1/para 0, on the 39th week 
of pregnancy, scheduled for elective cesarean section. Physical and laboratorial 
exams did not show any abnormalities. According to the recommendations of the 
hematologist, on the day of the procedure, the patient was given promethazine, 
25 mg, hydrocortisone, 500 mg, due to prior transfusion reaction, and plasma, 10 
mL x kg(-1) for a total of 700 mL. Two hours later, the patient underwent 
subarachnoid block under routine monitoring. Ringer's lactate, 2000 mL, was 
administered for hydration. The anesthetic-surgical procedure proceeded without 
intercurrences. Postoperatively, the patient was doing well when, on the 3rd PO 
day, fresh frozen plasma (FFP), 10 mL x kg(-1), was administered to prevent late 
postoperative bleeding.
CONCLUSIONS: The objective of this report was to present the anesthetic protocol 
for patients with hemophilia C and to alert for the need of investigation in 
patients with a history of postoperative bleeding, when a coagulation study 
should e be done before any invasive procedure and, in the case of prolonged 
aPTT, one should investigate the presence of factor XI deficiency.