Nick Samiotis, a 54-year-old from Norfolk, Virginia, has gained national attention over his last week’s surgery. His life was saved by pioneering robotic-assisted surgery for oesophageal cancer at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH). Initially, doctors used chemotherapy to reduce the stowaway tumour in Samiotis’s new normal. At that time, they did an operation known as an oesophagectomy.
It’s a lifestyle Samiotis credits to her health, abstaining from smoking, drinking, and processed foods. He called the diagnosis a dramatic twist. His condition required a complicated 12-hour procedure, carried out by Chief Surgeon Nicholas Penney with the assistance of a Da Vinci robotic system. This cutting-edge tech really cements NNUH’s remarkable reputation. It has now become the biggest provider of multi-speciality robotic surgery at one site in the East of England.
After the surgery, Samiotis could hardly believe how minimally-invasive the procedure had been. He came out with just 15 tiny keyhole scars. Incredibly, just nine days after the procedure he was up and walking his dog again! He expressed his gratitude for the less traumatic nature of robotic surgery compared to traditional open surgery, stating, “It’s a lot less trauma to the body so your recovery period is much reduced.”
Samiotis’s daughter Tabitha reflected on the experience, noting how quickly surgical technology is advancing. She pointed out that only three years ago, surgeries like her father’s would not have been an option.
“I remember talking to the nurse and they told me that three years ago this surgery wouldn’t even have happened,” – Tabitha Samiotis
Despite the successful operation, Samiotis now faces additional challenges, including further chemotherapy and a significant adjustment to his diet as his stomach has been reduced in size. He’ll have to go from a full liquid diet to a soft food diet and reintroduce all the different foods slowly. Looking back on his experience, he said, “I would tell my younger self not to have any fear,” showing how much his attitude has changed.
Facial surgeon Nicholas Penney discussed how the precision of robotic surgery has improved his field. He noted that it offers increased accuracy and flexibility in the field.
“The movements we make are miniaturised and we can move the instruments like our hands… it’s all very stable,” – Nicholas Penney
Penney highlighted that patients have experienced faster recoveries and shorter hospital stays as a result of this pioneering approach.
“We are seeing them leaving hospital quicker and getting back home and to normal life much sooner,” – Nicholas Penney
Samiotis’s miraculous encore to his original race has made this year’s sobering anniversary all the better. He thanked the medical team who helped save his life and showed his enthusiasm at getting back to normal life activities.
“My family are massively relieved I’ve come through the operation and I’m standing 10 days later,” – Nick Samiotis
As he prepares to take his dog for a morning neighborhood constitutional, Samiotis looks back on his time with optimism.
“I feel quite amazing… as soon as I’ve finished here, I’m off to take the dog for a walk!” – Nick Samiotis