Abstract： Objective To evaluate the value of damage control surgery (DCS) for severe abdominal trauma. Methods Forty-six patients with severe abdominal trauma were treated according to DCS principles and 58 patients were not. Clinical data of the two groups were analyzed retrospectively. DCS included simple surgery, resuscitation, and definitive operation. Results Perioperative morality was 15.2%(7/46) in the DCS group and 34.5%(20/58) in the non-DCS group, and the difference was statistically significant(x2=4.954,P=0.026). The perioperative complication rate was 37.0%( 17/46) in the DCS group and 67.2% (39/58) in the non-DCS group, and the difference was statistically significant(x2=9.468,P=0.002). Conclusion Damage control surgery can reduce perioperative morbidity and mortality in patients with severe abdominal trauma,and its efficacy is satisfactory.