Damage control surgery represents an option in treating severely polytraumatized patients, who cannot undergo extensive definitive surgical treatment, due to severe metabolic imbalances and hemodynamic instability. Although the term concerned initially only the abdominal trauma, now it can be used in all aspects of major posttraumatic injuries. We present a short history and systematisation of this concept, with emphasis on aspects related to visceral surgery. The principles of care, indications, procedures and current recommendations are also discussed.