Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of removal of benign substernal goiter through cervical approach and summarize the operation skill. Methods The clinical data of 85 cases diagnosed as benign substernal goiter from August 2002 to October 2011 in this hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Results The removal of benign substernal goiters in all 85 cases were performed through cervical approach without perioperative death，respiratory tract obstruction，massive haemorrhage，pneumothorax，hemothorax，chylus leakage，permanent impairment of recurrent laryngeal nerve，and permanent hypoparathyroidism. Three cases of hoarseness were found on 1-3d after operation，which returned to normal after symptomatic treatment. Four cases of numbness in the extremities and one case of mild convulsion happened，the symptoms were relieved through intravenous and oral administration of calcium treatment in 3-7d. The drainage volume was 35-220ml with （68±4.9） ml. The drainage tube was removed on postoperative 2-6d with an average 4.2d. Eighty-two patients were followed-up in 2 years after operation，no low calcium，low parathyroid hormone，hoarseness，and local goiter recurrence occurred. Two cases of hypothyroidism returned to normal after oral thyroxine dose adjustment. Conclusions Removal of the downward benign substernal goiter through cervical approach is safe and feasible. Sufficient exposure，stepwise procedure，blunt dissection in the precise gap，and combination of lifting with upbearing are the surgical skills for success.