The first complete system of surgery after that of Guy de Chauliac. In 1503 Vigo became the personal surgeon to Pope Julius II. His Practica in arte chirurgia copiosa was completed in 1514 and first published in Latin. It consists of nine books ranging from a consideration of anatomy necessary for a surgeon, to sections on abscesses, wounds, ulcers, benign and malignant tumors, fractures and dislocations, pharmaceuticals, ointments and plasters, as well as sections on dentistry, exercise, diet, syphilis, among others.

De Vigo introduced a novel approach for treating mandible dislocations and described a trephine he invented, as well as a number of new instruments. He had a broad spectrum of knowledge in surgery based in part on the ancient Greek and Arabic medical literature, but mainly on his personal experience.  He contributed significantly to the revival of medicine in the sixteenth century, and can be considered as a bridge between Greek medicine of antiquity, Arabic medicine, and the Renaissance. His Practica contains an account of gunshot wounds and a section on syphilis. The book went through 40 editions; an English translation by B. Traheron was published in London, 1543.