Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the pattern of nodal metastasis to level V in
parotid cancer and to examine the clinical value of level V neck dissection (LVND).
Study Design: Retrospective study.
Methods: LVND was performed in 10.6% and 2
8.2% of patients with clinical N0
(cN0) and cN+ neck disease, respectively. The prevalence of pathological positive nodal
metastasis was 0% (cN0) and 81.8% (cN+). In patients with cN0 neck, the rate of
recurrence in level V was 6%.
Conclusion: in our patient cohort, LVND was necessary in patients with cN+ neck
because there was a high likelihood for pathologically positive nodal metastasis. In patients
with cN0 neck, the rate of recurrence in level V was low enough not to warrant a routine
inclusion of LVND.
