[Experiences with a theloresectoscope compared with conventional teat endoscopy in diagnosis and therapy of covered teat lesions].

In 30 dairy-cows, suffering from a covered teat lesion near the papillar duct and, as a result, from milk flow hindrance, two different methods of minimal invasive endoscopy for diagnosis and therapy were performed. In 15 patients (group I) the endoscope was inserted through the papillar duct and additionally through an artificial approach in the teat wall. Avulsions of mucosa could be visualized and resected with special instruments. In further 15 patients (group II) a new Theloresectoscope (teat-endoscope, combined with integrated radiosurgery-unit) was used for performance of endoscopy via papillar duct and lateral endoscopy. Mucosal avulsions were removed under visualization by means of radiosurgery without inserting an additional instrument through the papillar duct. Afterwards, after application of antibiotic drugs intramammarily, a natural teat canal insert (NIT) was administered in the papillar ducts of the 30 treated teats for seven days to keep the teat canal calm and wide. After three days the NIT was replaced and antibiosis refreshed. Eight days after endoscopy the temporary cessation of milking was canceled and the quarters were milked by machine. In two probands out of group I and three cows out of group II six weeks after first intervention lateral endoscopy was performed again for documentation of the healing process. In all 30 cases six weeks after resection of mucosal avulsions inquiries about the milking-quality were made by phoning the owners of patients. In 29 cows, still existing on the farms after six weeks, the milking comfort was considered as being good or, in few cases, satisfactory by the owners. Somatic cell count showed good results, though eight probands in group I and nine cows in group II presented positive results in the California-Mastitis-Test. Comparing the two different endoscopic techniques used in this study, both methods appeared of same value concerning diagnosis of aberrations in bovine teat by means of endoscopy via teat canal. Differences were found in handling of instruments performing endoscopy with lateral, artificial approach: the novel Theloresectoscope is by far more useful in endoscopic surgery, because the surgical intervention can be performed by a single person, whereas using the conventional instruments in most cases a second person as an assistant for operation is required.