A Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered. A hiatal hernia can be cured with surgery. Fortunately, less than 5 percent of hiatal hernias are severe enough to require surgical repair. Most hiatal hernias cause few symptoms.Medications are usually effective in managing symptoms. If surgery is needed, there are different types of surgery that either involves a single incision or several smaller incisions in the chest or abdomen. During surgery the diaphragm muscle and hiatus opening are repaired.ost hiatal hernias cause few symptoms. Medications are usually effective in managing symptoms. If surgery is needed, there are different types of surgery that either involves a single incision or several smaller incisions in the chest or abdomen. During surgery the diaphragm muscle and hiatus opening are repaired.