Horner’s Syndrome after Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: Two Rare Case Reports and Narrative Literature Review

Abstract Horner’s syndrome is a neurological condition that usually affects one side of the face and eye and is characterized by ptosis, miosis, and anhidrosis. This may result from disruption of the sympathetic nerve pathway during anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. In this study, we report two patients suffering from Horner’s syndrome after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Patient 1 was a 72-year-old Asian woman who was diagnosed with cervical spine C4–C6 degenerative disc disease. She underwent an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and experienced left-sided ptosis and miosis the day after the operation. After 6 months of conservative treatment, the symptoms of Horner’s syndrome were fully relieved. Patient 2 was a 39-year-old Asian woman with a herniated intervertebral disc at C5–C6 of the cervical spine. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion were performed, and the patient presented with symptoms of Horner’s syndrome after surgery that persisted for 4 months before the symptoms were relieved.