We used monofilament polypropylene prostheses in 20 emergency operations for strangulated hernias. Sixteen of the operated patients had groin hernias (five of them recurrent), two had incisional and one had a Spigel's type hernia. Intestinal resection was performed because of bowel wall necrosis in one of the patients. During the postoperative period, we observed only one minor complication (a seroma formation). During the follow-up, no recurrence was observed. In our opinion, the use of monofilament polypropylene mesh in emergency hernia operations is safe, simple and effective.