Auriculotherapy and Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT) in the Management of Self-Injury Lip Lesion in a Patient with Cerebral Palsy: A Clinical Case Report

Objective: To present the management strategies for a self-inflicted lip injury in a child with cerebral palsy (CP). Case Report: A 10-year-old child with CP due to neonatal hypoxia, cognitive impairment, and lack of verbal communication exhibited self-inflicted lip trauma, impairing oral feeding and necessitating a nasogastric tube (NGT). The treatment plan included caregiver support, health education, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), low-level laser therapy (LLLT), auriculotherapy, and preventive dental care. One week after the first PDT session, combined with auriculotherapy, lesion improvement and reduced self-harming behavior were observed. The habit ceased entirely after six auriculotherapy sessions. Complete healing was achieved following three aPDT and two LLLT sessions. Nutritional improvement enabled NGT removal. No further interventions were needed. Conclusion: Auriculotherapy and aPDT proved effective in managing self-inflicted oral trauma in this case, suggesting a viable therapeutic approach to improve the quality of life in similar patients.