WEST PENN BURN UNIT: New laser treatment at West Penn brings mobility back to burn patients

PITTSBURGH — A new laser technology in AHN’s West Penn Hospital is improving the lives of burn patients one scar and treatment at a time.

“I was burned 46 years ago, myself and my friend Kenny. We were playing and unfortunately, I was playing with matches,” said Dennis Gillin who’s a burn survivor.

For Gillin, more than 60 percent of his body was burned and now he still has scars covering 30 percent.

“From the time I was 11 until I was 18, I basically had surgery every four months,” Gillman told Channel 11.

But even after 50-plus surgeries, he’s still searching for a better quality of life.

“Not being able to fall asleep, not going to bed with my hands throbbing from my elbow down to my hands, they just throb and ache,” Gillin said.

Now relief is in his hands after just two sessions with a new laser treatment.

“For 46 years I haven’t been able to move my thumb, I got that much movement after two surgeries and it hasn’t even a week since my last one,” Gillin said.

“We burn the scars in a very controlled fashion to trigger a number of changes that will make the scar less noticeable and not only improve it cosmetically but more importantly functionally,” said Dr. Ariel Aballay with AHN West Penn Burn Center.

It’s a same-day procedure cutting down the recovery and pain for these patients.

“This is huge, this is a game-changer for so many,” Gillin said.

Giving life to these survivors, as they experience things like never before and hope it will only benefit more people like them.

“I hope it gets out to people so they can see there is an alternative,” Gillin said.

If this is a treatment you are interested in, you are asked to call the AHN West Penn Burn Center to set up an evaluation to see if you are a candidate.

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