Herd immunity is necessary to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, a low proportion of vaccinated people and low levels of vaccine acceptance have been noted in Eastern Europe. Our paper aimed to review the central attitudes associated with the hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccination specific to Eastern European countries. The main Eastern European determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance identified from the included studies are: public confidence in the vaccines’ safety and efficacy, vaccine literacy, and public trust in the government and the medical system. Each of these determinants is discussed along with possible improvement measures. Variables specific to Eastern Europe that predict the willingness to vaccinate have also been highlighted. The specific attitudes and their context as identified by our review should be incorporated into local public health programs, with the ultimate goal of reducing viral spreading, mutation emergence, and COVID-19 morbidity and mortality both within the borders of Eastern Europe and beyond.

Background: Medical emergencies occur at varying rates across the globe. Given the significant effort invested in identifying them and assessing dentists’ preparedness to deliver treatment in these life-threatening conditions, a global overview was needed. Materials and Methods: In this scoping review, data from PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were examined to identify all relevant studies reporting on the impact of medical emergencies on dentists and determine their operational preparedness at a national or regional level. Operational preparedness was determined in accordance with existing emergency operational preparedness frameworks across six domains: Anticipate, Assess, Prevent, Prepare, Respond, and Recover. Significant Findings: Global data show that dentists will invariably encounter medical emergencies across their careers. However, our investigation found that in countries where there is strong foundational training and regular refresher training, fewer frequent emergencies and stronger operational preparedness are reported. Governmental regulation emerged as a key facilitator of operational preparedness. Still, barriers exist, primarily limited access to medical emergency courses, shortages of office supplies for emergency drugs and materials, and the absence of medical emergency registries. Conclusions: A reassessment of the medical emergency training courses’ content appropriateness is paramount. Training interventions should also focus on raising awareness about the importance of preventive measures and office optimization through planning. Further research is needed to identify any overlooked facilitators and barriers to operational preparedness in medical emergencies. This will help identify opportunities for improvement and minimize the impact of emergencies on dental practices.

Background: Gossypiboma is an uncommon postoperative complication caused by the retention of surgical materials, most frequently sponges, and is associated with substantial morbidity and medicolegal consequences. Despite a reduction in reported incidence, diagnosis remains challenging due to its nonspecific clinical presentation. Case Presentation: We present the case of a 36-year-old woman who presented with a one-week history of throbbing abdominal pain in the umbilical and left lumbar regions, associated with fetid leukorrhea. Her medical history included an appendectomy, a recent cesarean section performed two months prior, and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Initial computed tomography revealed bilateral subcutaneous and intra-abdominal collections with air bubbles and hyperdense linear structures, raising suspicion of abdominal abscesses. Gynecological evaluation excluded pelvic inflammatory pathology. Exploratory laparotomy identified bilateral pseudotumoral masses with complex adhesions involving intestinal loops and omentum, without evidence of gynecologic infection, prompting transfer to a tertiary care center. Repeat imaging confirmed bilateral flank abscesses. Surgical reintervention revealed retained surgical sponges within both abscess cavities, which were successfully removed, followed by evacuation, lavage, and drainage. Postoperative evolution was favorable under broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, with complete clinical and biological recovery. Conclusions: This case highlights the diagnostic challenge of gossypiboma, particularly when mimicking intra-abdominal abscesses or adhesion syndromes. A high index of suspicion is required in patients with prior surgical history and atypical postoperative presentations, as early recognition and prompt surgical management are essential to reduce morbidity and medicolegal consequences.

Background: Upper esophageal perforations are life-threatening conditions associated with a high risk of mediastinitis, sepsis, and multiorgan failure. Standard management often requires extensive surgical intervention, which carries substantial morbidity. Methods: We report the case of a 56-year-old male with an iatrogenic cervical esophageal perforation complicated by cervicomediastinal abscess formation. Due to anatomical constraints preventing standard endoluminal approaches, a hybrid organ-preserving strategy was employed, consisting of surgical drainage combined with an externally adapted vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system applied adjacent to the esophageal defect. Results: The patient demonstrated progressive clinical improvement without the need for esophageal diversion or major reconstructive surgery. Inflammatory markers were monitored serially and showed a downward trend, serving as adjunctive indicators of treatment response. The esophageal defect healed successfully, was confirmed radiologically, and no treatment-related complications were observed. Conclusions: This case suggests that externally adapted VAC therapy may represent a potential organ-preserving option in selected patients with complex cervical esophageal perforations when conventional techniques are not feasible. Further studies are required to validate this approach.