Adele was the biggest winner of the night, taking home four trophies for her single Rolling in the Deep: Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Direction and Best Editing.
Lady Gaga was the recipient of a new award, Best Video With A Message for Born This Way and she appeared at the ceremony - held at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles - as her chain smoking male alter ego, Jo Calderone.
Accepting her award she said: "Earlier tonight they told me I got best video with a message. There are so many great artists in this room.
Every video they've got has a ... message."
Earlier Gaga had opened the show, performing You and I with Queen guitarist Brian May.
Other stars to appear on stage included Beyonce Knowles - who had earlier revealed her pregnancy - her husband Jay-Z, who performed new single Otis with Kanye West, and Chris Brown.
The show also featured a tribute to Amy Winehouse - who unexpectedly died last month at the age of 27 - led by Russell Brand and Tony Bennett.
MTV VMAS 2011 - full list of winners:
Video of the Year: Katy Perry - Firework
Best New Artist: Tyler, The Creator - Yonkers
Best Hip-Hop Video: Nicki Minaj - Super Bass
Best Male Video: Justin Bieber - U Smile
Best Female Video: Lady Gaga - Born This Way
Best Pop Video: Britney Spears - Till The World Ends
Best Rock Video: Foo Fighters - Walk
Best Collaboration: Katy Perry Featuring Kanye West - E.T.
Best Art Direction: Adele - Rolling in the Deep
Best Choreography: Beyonce - Run The World (Girls)
Best Cinematography: Adele - Rolling in the Deep
Best Direction: Adele - Rolling in the Deep
Best Editing: Adele - Rolling in the Deep
Best Special Effects: Katy Perry featuring Kanye West - E.T.
Best Video With A Message: Lady Gaga - Born This Way
- BANG! Showbiz