21 CFR § 878.4840 - Absorbable polydioxanone surgical suture.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t21/s878.4840"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "21 CFR § 878.4840 - Absorbable polydioxanone surgical suture."
title_number: 21
title_name: "Food and Drugs"
section_number: "878.4840"
section_name: "Absorbable polydioxanone surgical suture."
chapter_name: "FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
subchapter_number: "H"
subchapter_name: "MEDICAL DEVICES"
part_number: "878"
part_name: "GENERAL AND PLASTIC SURGERY DEVICES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "21 U.S.C. 351, 360, 360c, 360e, 360j, 360 371."
regulatory_source: "53 FR 23872, June 24, 1988, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "878"
---


# 878.4840 Absorbable polydioxanone surgical suture.

(a) *Identification.* An absorbable polydioxanone surgical suture is an absorbable, flexible, sterile, monofilament thread prepared from polyester polymer poly (p-dioxanone) and is intended for use in soft tissue approximation, including pediatric cardiovascular tissue where growth is expected to occur, and ophthalmic surgery. It may be coated or uncoated, undyed or dyed, and with or without a standard needle attached.

(b) *Classification.* Class II (special controls). The special control for the device is FDA's “Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Surgical Sutures; Guidance for Industry and FDA.” See § 878.1(e) for the availability of this guidance document.

[67 FR 77676, Dec. 19, 2002]