Effect of Preoperative Abdominal Training on Abdominal Muscles Strength Outcomes after Ventral Hernia Repair

Abstract
Background: Hernias are caused by a weakness in the abdominal wall along with increased intra-abdominal pressure and poor wound healing. Ventral (incisional) hernias usually result from a weakness in the abdominal wall after abdominal surgery, especially in the obese patient.
Aim of Study: To investigate the effect of pre-operative abdominal training on abdominal muscle strength outcomes after ventral hernia repair by using isokinetic dynamometer as a method of evaluation.
Methods: 30 patients their age ranged between 20-45 years with ventral hernia, they were directed to operative hernia repair. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group (A) (control group) and Group (B) (study group). Isokinetic dynamometer was used to evaluate abdom-inal muscle strength at 3 occasions, first (initial assessment), second (pre-operative assessment), and third (6 months post-operative assessment). For Group (A) (control group); they were instructed to presume their activities of daily living pre-operatively. For Group (B) (study group); they received selective abdominal training program for 30min. 3 times per week for 6 weeks pre-operatively.
Results: The result showed that there was a significant increase in abdominal muscle strength post-operatively in study (abdominal training) group compared to control group.
Conclusion: It was concluded that pre operative abdominal muscle training was effective for strengthening abdominal muscles after ventral hernia repair.