Jacob K. Dey, M.D.

Location

SUMMARY

Jacob K. Dey, M.D., is actively involved in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery research and education. He has particular research interest and expertise in the areas of facial paralysis, facial reanimation, and outcomes assessment in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Dey's research efforts are driven by a passion to advance the field and improve the quality of care provided to patients seeking facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Focus areas

• Eye tracking technology: Over the past decade, Dr. Dey has helped introduce novel eye tracking technology to the field of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. This is a powerful research tool to objectively measure outcomes. On a basic level, eye tracking can precisely measure where observers focus their visual attention on faces, allowing researchers to calculate changes in facial perception that occur with facial differences and deformities, or because of surgeries or other treatment. These objective measurements have been historically lacking in the field and are a promising tool to help drive innovation. Dr. Dey and his team have used eye tracking to assess many facial deformities and their reconstruction, including facial paralysis and facial defects from skin cancer and parotid tumor surgery. There are many ongoing projects and novel applications using this exciting technology.
• Facial paralysis and facial reanimation: Facial paralysis results in a significant deformity that impacts facial function and symmetry and greatly decreases quality of life. It is one of the most challenging conditions to treat within facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Dey is actively engaged in research to develop new techniques to reanimate the face after paralysis.
• Outcomes of aesthetic surgery: Aesthetic treatments and surgery can significantly improve the lives of patients. To document changes following treatment, identify areas for improvement and enhance the quality of care provided, it is essential to measure outcomes. Dr. Dey has developed a robust array of outcomes assessment tools to both subjectively and objectively measure outcomes of aesthetic surgery from the perspectives of patients, experts and society.
• Outcomes of reconstructive surgery: Facial reconstructive surgery includes surgery for patients with facial paralysis, facial defects after skin cancer removal, defects after surgery to remove head and neck cancer, facial reconstruction after trauma, and cleft lip and cleft palate repair. Dr. Dey uses eye tracking and a battery of other metrics to measure the outcomes of these reconstructive procedures.
• Facial anatomy: Facial anatomy is complex. A thorough understanding of this complex anatomy is key to becoming a facile facial surgeon. Dr. Dey is dedicated to research to better understand and teach facial anatomy.

Significance to patient care

The face is one of the most important parts of the human body. It is the source of identity. The face provides a profound sense of self and is the interface by which people interact with the world. For this reason, Dr. Dey has dedicated his training and career to surgery of the face. As an academic surgeon, Dr. Dey's clinical work, research and teaching are all aimed at providing the best and highest level of care to patients needing facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.