21 CFR § 878.5010 - Nonabsorbable polypropylene surgical suture.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t21/s878.5010"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "21 CFR § 878.5010 - Nonabsorbable polypropylene surgical suture."
title_number: 21
title_name: "Food and Drugs"
section_number: "878.5010"
section_name: "Nonabsorbable polypropylene 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"
---


# 878.5010 Nonabsorbable polypropylene surgical suture.

(a) *Identification.* Nonabsorbable polypropylene surgical suture is a monofilament, nonabsorbable, sterile, flexible thread prepared from long-chain polyolefin polymer known as polypropylene and is indicated for use in soft tissue approximation. The polypropylene surgical suture meets United States Pharmacopeia (U.S.P.) requirements as described in the U.S.P. Monograph for Nonabsorbable Surgical Sutures; it may be undyed or dyed with an FDA approved color additive; and the suture may be provided with or without a standard needle attached.

(b) *Classification.* Class II (special controls). The special control for this 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.

[56 FR 24685, May 31, 1991, as amended at 68 FR 32984, June 3, 2003]