Biographical summary
Carlos A. Puig Gilbert, M.D., is a thoracic surgeon whose work reflects a belief that every person deserves clarity, hope, and a care plan they can trust. He specializes in minimally invasive and robotic surgery for lung and esophageal cancer, thymic tumors, achalasia, and hiatal hernias.
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Puig approaches each case with a focus on precision, safety, and the least invasive approach appropriate for the patient. His work is closely integrated with multidisciplinary teams across pulmonology, oncology, and gastroenterology to ensure each patient receives coordinated, individualized care. His clinical focus includes:
- Thoracic surgical oncology: Surgical care for cancers of the chest, including lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and thymic malignancies. His work emphasizes precise tumor removal using minimally invasive and robotic techniques when appropriate.
- Minimally invasive and robotic thoracic surgery: Advanced surgical approaches designed to reduce postoperative pain, shorten hospital stays, and support a smoother recovery after complex thoracic procedures.
- Esophageal disorders: Surgical and endoscopic treatment of conditions affecting the esophagus, including achalasia, with a focus on restoring function and improving day-to-day comfort.
- Hiatal hernias and benign foregut conditions: Management of hiatal hernias using techniques tailored to each individual's anatomy, symptoms, and overall health.
- Endoscopic esophageal procedures: Specialized procedures that complement surgical care and allow select esophageal conditions to be treated with less invasive methods.
Research
Dr. Puig’s research centers on improving surgical outcomes and measuring quality in thoracic surgery. His work reflects a sustained curiosity about how techniques evolve and how real-world data can enhance patient care. By studying outcomes across minimally invasive and robotic approaches, he aims to refine surgical methods in ways that meaningfully benefit patients.
Conditions treated
Procedures performed
- Esophageal reconstruction
- Esophagectomy
- Heller myotomy
- Hiatal hernia repair
- Hyperhidrosis surgery
- Lung volume reduction surgery
- Minimally invasive thymectomy
- Peroral endoscopic myotomy
- Robotic lobectomy
- Robotic segmentectomy
- Robotic surgery
- Segmentectomy
- VATS
- VATS lobectomy
- Video mediastinoscopy
- Wedge resection of lung
Interests
- Thoracic oncology (lung, esophageal, and thymic malignancies)
- Achalasia
- Robotic surgery
- Endoscopic esophageal resection
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2021
FellowThoracic Surgery, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2018
Resident - General SurgeryMayo Clinic College of Medicine, General Surgery Residency Program
- 2018
ResidentSurgery, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2010
MDUniversidad Catolica Santiago de Guayaquil
- 2010
Internship - Obstetrics and Gynecology Obstretics and Gynecology Hospital "Enrique C. Sotomayor"
- 2010
Internship - Pediatrics. Pediatric Hospital "Roberto Gilbert"
- 2009
Internship - General Surgery and Internal Medicine Jackson Memorial Hospital. William J. Harrington Training Program.
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2022
Thoracic and Cardiac SurgeryAmerican Board of Thoracic Surgery
- 2018
General SurgeryAmerican Board of Surgery
Awards and honors
- 2024
Douglas Mathisen Traveling Fellowship in General Thoracic SurgeryThoracic Surgery Foundation
- 2020
AATS Foundation's Thoracic Surgical Robotics Fellowship AATS/TSRA
- 2020
O. T. Clagett Award and Travelling Fellowship Award Mayo Clinic
- 2016
1st place in clinical researchMinnesota Surgical Society
- 2016
Susan G. Komen® Breast Cancer Research Award Society of Surgical Oncology
- 2013
Silver Retractor AwardDepartment of Surgery
- 2010
2nd place "Best Graduation Project"Universidad Catolica Santiago de Guayaquil
- 2009
Award of Academic Excellence Universidad Catolica Santiago de Guayaquil
- 2008
Award of Academic Excellence Universidad Catolica Santiago de Guayaquil
- 2007
Award of Academic Excellence Universidad Catolica Santiago de Guayaquil
- 2006
Award of Academic Excellence Universidad Catolica Santiago de Guayaquil
- 2005
Award of Academic Excellence Universidad Catolica Santiago de Guayaquil
Professional memberships
- 2024 - present
MemberSouthern Thoracic Surgical Association
- 2022 - present
MemberSociety of Thoracic Surgeons
- 2018 - 2022
Resident Candidate MemberSociety of Thoracic Surgeons
- 2018 - present
MemberPriestley Society
- 2018 - present
MemberMayo Clinic Alumni Association
- 2015 - present
MemberAssociation of Academic Surgery
- 2012 - present
MemberAmerican College of Surgery
Publications