Stomach hernia operation. Surgeon's gloved hand holding the oesophagus (lower right) of a patient during surgery to correct a herniated stomach. A hernia is where an organ bulges through a weakness in the surrounding tissue. The surgical threads (sutures) will strengthen the area to prevent a recurrence of the hernia. This is a hiatus hernia, where the upper portion of the stomach protrudes from the abdominal cavity into the chest cavity through the existing hole in the diaphragm where the oesophagus connects to the stomach. This type of hernia is relatively common. Surgery is only required in severe cases or where complications develop.