After a successful surgical procedure to receive the groundbreaking transplant, 54-year-old Nick Samiotis spoke of his gratitude. He praised the “brilliant” robotic surgery that ultimately cured his misdiagnosed and undiagnosed level four oesophageal cancer. The surgery took place at a leading hospital now recognized as the largest provider of multi-specialty robotic surgery in the region. Utilizing advanced technology, surgeon Nicholas Penney controlled a sophisticated robotic system from a 3D console while working alongside an anesthetist monitoring the patient.
When raw materials supplier Nick Samiotis learned he had cancer, he was taken by surprise. He saw living a healthy lifestyle through not using alcohol, tobacco and eating a mostly processed food diet. That’s why news of his sudden illness hit everyone that much harder. Once chemotherapy had shrunk the tumor enough, Samiotis underwent a difficult 12-hour surgery. Penney was able to do this surgery with sophisticated robotic instruments that allowed him to be more precise while limiting trauma to the patient.
I did talk with the nurse and she explained that three years ago they wouldn’t have been able to perform this type of surgery. Ultimately, I had to rely on the experts,” said Samiotis while looking back on the technology that made his surgery possible.
While Penney is indeed skilled at using robotics, he had to make some key manual incisions during the procedure. This blend of robotic assistance and legacy techniques led to just 15 tiny keyhole scars on Samiotis’s abdomen. Remarkably, he was still able to get back to daily walks with his dog just nine days after the operation.
Samiotis called the surgery “life or death,” understanding that his condition was that serious. He’s excited to conquer the world, but he has to teach himself to go on a liquid diet. Eventually, he’ll move to pureed foods as his stomach has gotten much smaller. He mentioned a history of heartburn and anemia leading to afternoon somnolence.
The surgical team was made up of extraordinary people. You’ve just got to be optimistic. He’s a scrapper,” said a source close to Samiotis.
Surgeon Nicholas Penney wrote about the benefits of robotic surgery. He continued, “It’s a lot less traumatic on the body, so your recovery time is greatly shortened.” Leading up to this trial, 25% of all oesophagectomies done at this hospital were done robotically. Each bespoke instrument involved in these procedures costing up to £200 each, with a short shelf life of just ten uses.
Indeed, Samiotis’s family was “overjoyed that I survived the surgery. “I’m just as strong and standing 10 days later, and I’m recovering at a pace that makes me excited. You wouldn’t know I’d had an operation unless you were there,” he said.
James Hernon, a representative from the hospital, remarked on the promising future of robotic surgery in medical practice. “It’s fast becoming the future of surgical practice.”