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Carlos A. Puig Gilbert, M.D.

  1. Thoracic Surgeon

Specialty Groups

Location

  1. Rochester, Minnesota

Languages

EnglishSpanish

Appointments

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.

  1. Achalasia
  2. Carcinoid tumor
  3. Chest wall tumor
  4. Chondrosarcoma
  5. Chylothorax
  6. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
  7. Diaphragm paralysis
  8. Esophageal cancer
  9. Gastroesophageal reflux disease
  10. Hiatal hernia
  11. Hyperhidrosis
  12. Indeterminate pleural effusion
  13. Indeterminate pulmonary nodule
  14. Lung cancer
  15. Lung mass
  16. Lung metastasis
  17. Lung nodule
  18. Lung tumor
  19. Malignant pleural effusion
  20. Mediastinal lymph node enlargement
  21. Mediastinal tumor
  22. Mesothelioma
  23. Multifocal lung cancer
  24. Myasthenia gravis
  25. Non-small cell lung cancer
  26. Pancoast tumor
  27. Paraesophageal hernia
  28. Pleural effusion
  29. Pneumothorax
  30. Sliding hiatal hernia
  31. Small cell lung cancer
  32. Soft tissue sarcoma
  33. Solitary fibrous tumor
  34. Squamous cell lung cancer
  35. Thymic tumor
  36. Young-onset esophageal cancer
  1. Bleb resection
  2. Bronchoscopy
  3. Carinal resection
  4. Chest reconstruction
  5. Chest surgery
  6. Chest wall biopsy
  7. Chest wall reconstruction
  8. Chest wall resection
  9. Decortication
  10. Esophageal dilation
  11. Esophageal reconstruction
  12. Esophageal stenting
  13. Esophagectomy
  14. Esophagoscopy
  15. Esophagostomy
  16. Extrapleural pneumonectomy
  17. Heller myotomy
  18. Hiatal hernia repair
  19. Hyperhidrosis surgery
  20. Lobectomy
  21. Lung biopsy
  22. Lung resection
  23. Lung surgery
  24. Lung volume reduction surgery
  25. Median sternotomy
  26. Mediastinoscopy
  27. Mediastinotomy
  28. Minimally invasive anti-reflux surgery
  29. Minimally invasive lung resection
  30. Minimally invasive surgery
  31. Minimally invasive thymectomy
  32. Peroral endoscopic myotomy
  33. Pleurectomy
  34. Pleurodesis
  35. Pneumonectomy
  36. Robotic diaphragm plication
  37. Robotic esophagectomy
  38. Robotic lobectomy
  39. Robotic segmentectomy
  40. Robotic surgery
  41. Robotic thymectomy
  42. Segmentectomy
  43. Thoracoplasty
  44. Thoracoscopy
  45. Thoracotomy
  46. Thymectomy
  47. VATS
  48. VATS lobectomy
  49. Video mediastinoscopy
  50. Wedge resection of lung
  • Thoracic oncology (lung, esophageal, and thymic malignancies)
  • Achalasia
  • Robotic surgery
  • Endoscopic esophageal resection
  1. 2021
    FellowThoracic Surgery, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  2. 2018
    Resident - General SurgeryMayo Clinic College of Medicine, General Surgery Residency Program
  3. 2018
    ResidentSurgery, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  4. 2010
    MDUniversidad Catolica Santiago de Guayaquil
  5. 2010
    Internship - Obstetrics and Gynecology Obstretics and Gynecology Hospital "Enrique C. Sotomayor"
  6. 2010
    Internship - Pediatrics. Pediatric Hospital "Roberto Gilbert"
  7. 2009
    Internship - General Surgery and Internal Medicine Jackson Memorial Hospital. William J. Harrington Training Program.

Certifications

  1. 2022
    Thoracic and Cardiac SurgeryAmerican Board of Thoracic Surgery
  2. 2018
    General SurgeryAmerican Board of Surgery

Awards and honors

  1. 2024
    Douglas Mathisen Traveling Fellowship in General Thoracic SurgeryThoracic Surgery Foundation
  2. 2020
    AATS Foundation's Thoracic Surgical Robotics Fellowship AATS/TSRA
  3. 2020
    O. T. Clagett Award and Travelling Fellowship Award Mayo Clinic
  4. 2016
    1st place in clinical researchMinnesota Surgical Society
  5. 2016
    Susan G. Komen® Breast Cancer Research Award Society of Surgical Oncology
  6. 2013
    Silver Retractor AwardDepartment of Surgery
  7. 2010
    2nd place "Best Graduation Project"Universidad Catolica Santiago de Guayaquil
  8. 2009
    Award of Academic Excellence Universidad Catolica Santiago de Guayaquil
  9. 2008
    Award of Academic Excellence Universidad Catolica Santiago de Guayaquil
  10. 2007
    Award of Academic Excellence Universidad Catolica Santiago de Guayaquil
  11. 2006
    Award of Academic Excellence Universidad Catolica Santiago de Guayaquil
  12. 2005
    Award of Academic Excellence Universidad Catolica Santiago de Guayaquil

Professional memberships

  1. 2024 - present
    MemberSouthern Thoracic Surgical Association
  2. 2022 - present
    MemberSociety of Thoracic Surgeons
  3. 2018 - 2022
    Resident Candidate MemberSociety of Thoracic Surgeons
  4. 2018 - present
    MemberPriestley Society
  5. 2018 - present
    MemberMayo Clinic Alumni Association
  6. 2015 - present
    MemberAssociation of Academic Surgery
  7. 2012 - present
    MemberAmerican College of Surgery

Publications