Regulations last checked for updates: Feb 13, 2026

Title 21 - Food and Drugs last revised: Dec 18, 2026
§ 878.5035 - Nonabsorbable expanded polytetrafluoroethylene surgical suture.

(a) Identification. Nonabsorbable expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) surgical suture is a monofilament, nonabsorbable, sterile, flexible thread prepared from ePTFE and is intended for use in soft tissue approximation and ligation, including cardiovascular surgery. It may be undyed or dyed with an approved color additive and may be provided with or without an attached needle(s).

(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.

[65 FR 20735, Apr. 18, 2000, as amended at 68 FR 32985, June 3, 2003]
authority: 21 U.S.C. 351,360,360c,360e,360j,360
source: 53 FR 23872, June 24, 1988, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 21 CFR 878.5035