Horner syndrome as a postoperative complication after minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy

RATIONALE: Horner syndrome is an unusual complication after thyroidectomy. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report a case of Horner syndrome in a 34-year-old female patient with Graves disease associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent left-side minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy and neck dissection. DIAGNOSIS: Horner syndrome was diagnosed based on left myosis, eyelid ptosis, and mild enophthalmos, which developed in the patient on postoperative day 2. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was administered glucocorticoids and neurotrophic drugs on postoperative day 3. OUTCOME: The symptoms of Horner syndrome were significantly relieved 1 year later. LESSONS: Surgeons must be aware that Horner syndrome may be a source of iatrogenic complications, and patients also should be informed of these complications before surgery.