Abstract

Background. To compare the effect of preoperative application of Russian stimulation in addition to graduated abdominal exercises and graduated abdominal exercises only on the abdominal muscles’ strength after ventral hernioplasty. Methods. Thirty patients with a ventral hernia, the age of participants ranged from 20 to 45 years, they were randomly distributed into two groups of equal numbers. Group (I) received Russian stimulation on abdominal muscles in addition to graduated abdominal exercises for a 30 min., and group (II) received the same graduated abdominal exercises only for a 30 min., both groups received of treatment protocols 3 times per week for 6 weeks preoperatively. The isokinetic dynamometer was used to evaluate abdominal muscle strength at 4 occasions, base-line assessment, assessment before operation, assessment 2 months after operation, and finally assessment 4 months after operation. Result. statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant improvement (p < 005) in the strength of abdominal muscle preoperatively and postoperatively in both groups in favor of group I. Conclusion. It was concluded that the pre-operative application of Russian current stimulation in addition to graduated abdominal exercises is an effective method for abdominal muscle`s strength after ventral hernioplasty.

Key words:

Epigastric hernia, Graduated abdominal exercises, Isokinetic dynamometer, Umbilical hernia, Ventral hernia