54-year-old Nick Samiotis of Norfolk, MA recently hit a wall with his health. He went through a very complex, life-saving oesophagectomy at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH). Just before his birthday, in August, he was diagnosed with advanced oesophageal cancer. Thanks to a new procedure that was made possible through cutting-edge robotic technology, his recovery journey has been greatly changed.
That operation, which Samiotis would later call “life or death,” took an incredible 12 hours. It was conducted by the distinguished New York-based surgeon Nicholas Penney, who operated the robotic system from an advanced 3D console. Even more astonishingly, much of the surgery depended on robotic precision. Penney still had to make a number of manual incisions in the course of the operation.
Samiotis had received a round of chemotherapy before his surgery to help shrink the tumor. In fact, just nine days after the procedure, he’s already back to walking his dog! This extraordinary recovery can be attributed in large part to the power of robotic surgery’s minimally invasive approach. Due to this advance, he now has only 15 tiny keyhole scars remaining.
I’m feeling ascribing the wonderful … as soon as I’m through with my day right here, I’m taking the canine for a stroll!- Nick Samiotis
Prior to the procedure, Samiotis had been living with debilitating symptoms such as heartburn and anaemia that frequently left him tired. Key to his longevity was avoiding alcohol, smoking and processed foods. Even with all that meticulous planning, he succumbed to the brutal reality of oesophageal cancer.
The advantages of robotic surgery quickly became evident when weighed against open surgery, which was the more traditional method. “If I had had open surgery, I would be facing a hospital stay of three weeks and a longer recovery,” he explained. He highlighted the ways the robotic approach minimizes trauma to the body, resulting in quicker recovery times.
“My family are massively relieved I’ve come through the operation and I’m standing 10 days later,” Samiotis said, reflecting on the emotional journey alongside his physical recovery.
Surgeon Nicholas Penney highlighted the advantages of robotic surgery, stating, “The movements we make are miniaturised and we can move the instruments like our hands… it’s all very stable.” He continued that patients have much less pain and fewer complications with the advent of this technology.
As a consequence, the NNUH has become the largest of only two providers of multi-specialty robotic surgery across the entire East of England. A large private donation of £2.8 million swelled their robotic surgery program. It originated from the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity. James Hernon, a representative from the charity, noted that this technology is “fast becoming the future of surgical practice.”
Samiotis attributes his success to the medical team who guided him through his treatment and recovery. “The surgical team were remarkable people… you’ve got to be positive. He’s a fighter,” said his daughter Tabitha, conveying her trust in the professionals involved.