“I can only express my gratitude for this opportunity. It has been a transformative experience in my professional training and will undoubtedly influence the way I practise surgery in the future.”

Why did you choose Dr Del Piñal’s residency programme?

It was a pivotal decision in my training. I had already been familiar with his books and publications since my residency. I was always struck by his innovative approach and his handling of highly complex cases, many of which would be impossible to encounter at other centres. In that sense, I believe it is one of the best places in the world to train.
How would you describe your experience from a professional point of view?

Very enriching. You always feel that the time you spend there is too short, but if you make the most of it, you can get a great deal out of the rotation.
In addition to clinical work, there is time to study, review the literature and reflect on cases. That makes a huge difference compared to other rotations I’ve done, which are purely clinical and don’t allow for that level of depth or analysis. After being here, I’ve realised that it’s essential to have a tutor who has a great deal of experience in the field and who also has the teaching skills to pass on their knowledge, and in that sense I believe Dr Piñal possesses those qualities.
What really surprised me, too, was his holistic approach to the patient. It’s not just about the surgery—which is spectacular in itself—but about decision-making, the analysis of each case, and the way he forces you to think through and justify every recommendation. These are generally patients who, in many cases, have undergone multiple previous procedures and arrive with particularly difficult conditions. In this respect, I believe it makes for a unique training centre.
Madrid, the city: personal impressions, places not to be missed, advice for new residents…
Madrid is a huge and very dynamic city. My main advice would be to try to live relatively close to the centre to avoid long commutes. It’s a safe city with an impressive cultural and gastronomic offering. At the weekends there’s always something to do: museums like the Prado or the Reina Sofía, there’s plenty of leisure activity. If you know how to organise yourself, it’s relatively easy to find a good work-life balance.

Anything else?
I can only say thank you for the opportunity. It has been an experience that has marked a turning point in my professional training and will undoubtedly influence the way I practise surgery in the future.