The management of emergency groin hernias is difficult due to the absence of any consensus and the surgical management is tailored by the treating surgeon. Emergency groin hernias include incarcerated and strangulated inguinal and femoral hernias and they carry a high morbidity and mortality. The treatment of emergency groin hernias is usually performed with sutured repairs like Shouldice, Bassini, Darning and the Desarda technique. Hernia repairs with mesh can also be safely performed if there is no or minimal contamination of the wound. The laparoscopic repairs like the Transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) and Total Extraperitoneal (TEP) can be performed but require training and equipment and is not recommended for the management of emergency groin hernia. In this review we will look at the management of emergency groin hernias.