(a) Identification. A stainless steel suture is a needled or unneedled nonabsorbable surgical suture composed of 316L stainless steel, in USP sizes 12-0 through 10, or a substantially equivalent stainless steel suture, intended for use in abdominal wound closure, intestinal anastomosis, hernia repair, and sternal closure.

(b) Classification. Class II (special controls). The device, when it is a steel monofilament suture that is uncoated and does not incorporate barbs, is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to the limitations in § 878.9. 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.