We analyzed the results of neck dissections in 142 head and neck cancer patients(161 sides) between January 1989 and December 1990. 1) Primary sites were larynx 44(31.0%), lip and oral cavity 34(23.9%), hypopharynx 25(17.6%), oropharynx 11, unknown primary 11. 2) Bilateral neck dissections were performed on 19 patients(13.4%), and methods of neck dissection were as follows : radical neck dissection(RND) on 18 sides(11.2%), modified radical neck dissection(MRND) on 37 sides(23.0%) and modified neck dissection(MND) on 106 sides(65.8%). Elective neck dissections were performed on 50 sides(31.1%). 3) Postoperative complications were observed in 6/18 RND sides(33.3%), 9/37 MRND sides(24.3%) and 11/106 MND sides(10.4%). 4) Average period of follow-up was 23.4 months. Neck recurrences were observed in 25 patients, 29 sides(17.6%) and their lateralities were homolateral in 19, contralateral two and bilateral in four. 5) Recurrence rate in postoperatively irradiated group was 20/137(14.6%) and in the nonirradiated group was 9/24(37.5%). 6) Recurrences according to postoperative pathologic staging were N0 6/53(11.3%), N1 4/32(12.5%), N2 13/53(24.5%) and N3 6/23(26.1%).