Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41639813›Full record

ReviewBMC urology2026

The Micro-hole Zone Technology as a new era in urinary drainage: a narrative review from bench to bedside.

Michael Kennelly, Susanne Vahr Lauridsen, Nikesh Thiruchelvam, Andrei Krassioukov, Charalampos Konstantinidis, Emmanuel Chartier Kastler, Rikke Vaabengaard, Malene Hornbak Landauro, Marcio Augusto Averbeck

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in BMC urology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Michael KennellyDepartment of Urology, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA.
Susanne Vahr LauridsenDepartment of Urology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev-Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Nikesh ThiruchelvamDepartment of Urology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
Andrei KrassioukovDivision of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Charalampos KonstantinidisUrology & Neuro-Urology Unit, National Rehabilitation Center, Athens, Greece.
Emmanuel Chartier KastlerSorbonne Université, Academic Hospital Pitié-Salpétrière, Paris, France.
Rikke VaabengaardColoplast A/S, Humlebaek, Denmark.
Malene Hornbak LandauroColoplast A/S, Humlebaek, Denmark. dkmhla@coloplast.com.
Marcio Augusto AverbeckMoinhos de Vento Hospital, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionIntermittent catheterization (IC) remains the standard of care for patients who are unable to empty their bladder. However, incomplete bladder emptying and urinary tract infections (UTIs) can persist, leading to complications such as recurrent infections, episodes of hospitalizations, and decreased quality of life. The Micro-hole Zone Technology (MHZT) catheter (Luja™) represents an innovative catheter design that aims to address known mechanical risk factors for UTI by minimizing flow-stops, mucosal microtrauma, and residual urine, all key contributors to infection risk.

methodA scoping literature search was performed in PubMed and Google Scholar to identify all preclinical, clinical, and patient-reported outcome (PRO) studies evaluating the MHZT catheter (Luja). To contextualize its performance, findings were systematically compared with conventional two-eyelet catheters (CEC) across the same endpoints. The co-primary endpoints were (1) frequency of flow-stops and (2) residual urine volume at first flow-stop (RV1). Secondary endpoints included intracatheter pressure peaks, haematuria, and PRO measures related to comfort, ease of use, and perceived completeness of bladder emptying.

resultsPreclinical studies demonstrated significantly fewer flow stop with the MHZT (0% vs. up to 80% with CEC), markedly reduced residual volume at first flow-stop (mean 3.6 ± 3.9 mL vs. 38.1 ± 26.7 mL; p < 0.001) and lower intraluminal pressure peaks (− 42 ± 11 vs. − 132 ± 7 mbar; p < 0.001). From summarized data across randomized controlled trials (n > 250), catheterizations with Luja resulted in zero flow-stops and complete emptying at first flow-stop (RV1 < 10 mL) > 87% of the times compared to approximately 50% for CEC. PRO data from > 3,400 users indicated improved confidence in complete emptying, easier use and less worry for UTIs.

conclusionBy triangulating evidence across preclinical, clinical, and PRO studies, this review demonstrates that the MHZT/Luja catheter significantly improves bladder drainage compared with conventional designs, reducing flow-stops, residual urine, and urothelial trauma. Given that infection remains one of the most frequent IC complications, Luja offers a promising approach to lowering UTI risk factors. Enhanced user experience and confidence in complete emptying further support its potential clinical benefit.

Indexed as

DrainageUrinary CatheterizationUrinary CathetersAnimalsEquipment DesignHumansUrinary Tract InfectionsBladder emptyingFlow-stopsIntermittent catheterizationLuja™ catheterMicro-hole Zone TechnologyPatient-reported outcomesResidual urineUrinary tract infectionUrothelial trauma

Identifiers

PMID41639813
PMCPMC12973606

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.