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The historic evolution of Peruvian Surgery up to the application of experimentation is described, guiding it on a scientific path. It is evident that the beginning of Experimental Surgery and Laboratories were established, four decades ago, in Peruvian Universities; this enabled other surgical center to introduce new surgical procedures to medical practice. The first experiments in gastrointestinal surgery performed by a surgical school of the UNMSM and in the UPCH as well as their clinical applications in two Teaching Hospitals (Loayza and Cayetano Heredia) are reviewed.

Thirty-six patients with severe hepatic trauma were treated with prolonged closed liver packing. Reoperation to remove the packing was performed from 7 to 10 days after the first operation. Prolonged closed liver packing was associated with low infection and mortality rates. We conclude that this technique should be used in patients in whom other techniques have failed to control hemorrhage, and should not be used in patients with ruptured hollow viscus or in patients with injuries of the large extrahepatic vessels.