When would you cover the pre- and/or post-auricular nodal basins electively in the post-op setting for tumor involving the parotid gland?

The facial nodes are rarely involved and treating them significantly increases morbidity. I typically treat levels 1b, 2, and 3 for most parotid glad tumors. I do cover them for high grade (grade 3) carcinomas and any squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to parotid nodes.