Nick Samiotis, a 54-year-old patient from Norfolk, recently underwent a groundbreaking robotic-assisted oesophagectomy at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH). That state-of-the-art procedure, at the time, lasted a punishing 12 hours. Today, Samiotis has only 15 tiny keyhole scars, as opposed to the much larger incisions left by traditional surgeries which require a much longer recovery time.
Diagnosed with stage IV oesophageal cancer shortly before his 50th birthday in late August 2025, Samiotis wondered how much time he had left. In order to prep for surgery, he went through chemotherapy to minimize the tumor. That treatment was key to the success of the complex robotic operation that surgeon Nicholas Penney carried out. While he was able to have that surgery, and it went perfectly, Samiotis has still needed additional chemotherapy as he has fought the disease.
The NNUH has established itself as the largest provider of multi-specialty robotic surgery at a single site in the East of England. These procedures require surgical instruments that are uniquely engineered to work in concert with robotic assistance. Each one costs up to £200 and has a short shelf life of only ten uses.
Surgeon Nicholas Penney, who trained in robotics, called this technique revolutionary.
“The movements we make are miniaturised and we can move the instruments like our hands… it’s all very stable,” – Nicholas Penney
He continued that patients are recovering much faster than with surgery as usual.
“We are seeing them leaving hospital quicker and getting back home and to normal life much sooner,” – Nicholas Penney
For Samiotis, the path to recovery requires major changes to his everyday life. So now he has to go on a mostly liquid diet. After that, he’ll move to soft foods as his stomach is a lot smaller after the procedure. Even so, he isn’t discouraged and is hopeful about recovering well.
“I feel quite amazing… as soon as I’ve finished here, I’m off to take the dog for a walk!” he expressed joyfully.
Samiotis, who described the operation as a “life or death” matter. He focused on expressing appreciation for just having received this complex surgical procedure in the first place. He stated, “You wouldn’t know I’d had an operation unless you were there,” highlighting the minimally invasive nature of the surgery.
His daughter, Tabitha, 19, said she’ll be forever grateful to the surgical team. “The surgical team were remarkable people… you’ve got to be positive, he’s a fighter,” she said. In her remarks, she looked back on what has changed in the field. Just three years prior, a nurse had told her that surgeries like this weren’t possible.
“In the end, you just have to trust the professionals,” – Tabitha