Hiatal hernia occurs when the diaphragm, which is muscle, divides the chest from the abdomen, becomes weak due to any defect in it. This situation creates a problem of swelling of stomach and other organs and tissues, due to which they lump into the chest cavity. In normal cases, the food tube, which is medically termed as esophagus, passes through a small passage in diaphragm, and connects with the stomach. Hiatal hernia is very complicated to be monitored, as small hiatal hernia shows no symptoms to be noticed, but if any symptom is suspected then it is necessary to pass through testing process, so that the severity and complications can be stopped to be rise. Doctors suggest surgery for the treatment of hernia, because until the time of surgery for hiatal hernia, they are not able to monitor the disease.

Hernia cannot be easily determined as the patient of hernia ignores its symptoms as a normal problem like upset stomach or heartburn. Tests, which are suggested to a patient for the diagnosis of hernia, are Barium X-ray and EGD (Endoscopy). In Barium X-ray, a chalky liquid solution that contains barium, is given to patient, to drink. The Barium is clearly shown to the diagnostics, that they can easily see in the X-ray whether the potion of stomach is out of place in chest cavity or not. In EGD, a thin tube with camera and a light on is inserted into the mouth and move down the throat of a patient. With this, the doctor can see both the esophagus and the stomach. The physician does this procedure. This test is performed when damage is to be monitored, due to the gastric reflux, which is generally known as heartburn.

Hiatal hernia can be transferred into a complicated stage when the esophagus is blocked and make impossible travelling of food from mouth to stomach. This is a rare situation, but requires an immediate surgery to cure this problem. Surgery for hiatal hernia is performed on a patient, on inpatient basis or outpatient basis. In inpatient surgery, the patient is required for the care and observation, after the surgery is done. Outpatient surgery is a surgical procedure where minor operations are performed. These surgeries are performed in minor cases and it is expected to return the patient to its home for further recovery. Patient reports for surgery early in the morning and return home until evening.

Surgery for hiatal hernia is performed by giving general anesthesia and is performed by a general surgeon. After giving anesthesia to patient, surgery begins with the incisions from any side of the hernia. A laparoscope is inserted inside from one incision and other additional surgical equipments are inserted by other incision. The surgeon locates the defect of the diaphragm and the stomach.

The surgery for hiatal hernia can cure the severity of hernia and also the general problems like heartburn and gastric refluxes. It is required to go through with a checkup and tests, when a patient notices, even a minor symptom of hernia.