Recurrent metastatic neck node is a lymph node which is appeared 6 months after the aggressive management of primary disease including neck, and its incidence is about 20% in treatment of head and neck cancer. Because recurrent metastatic neck node has a difficulty in diagnosis, severe adhesion to adjacent structures and poor blood supply due to fibrosis, it is hard to manage, and its prognosis is also poor. The authors performed 24 salvage surgery in 37 recurrent metastatic neck nodes from 1985 to 1990, and got 20% of salvage rate. In the deceased 16 cases, the mean survival showed 11.7 months. We reviewed and analysed retrospectively the clinical manifestations, treatment experiences and causes of failure on management. So we conclude that there are following limitations on retreatment ; 1) difficulty of premanagement planning, 2) difficult detection of hidden second primary or distant metastasis and 3) accessment of severe emotional depression.