DEFINITION

Nonabsorbable Surgical Suture is a flexible strand of material that is not absorbed in living mammalian tissue. It may be in either monofilament or multifilament form. If it is a multifilament strand, the individual filaments may be combined by twisting, braiding, or any combination thereof. It may be either sterile or nonsterile. Its diameter and tensile strength correspond to the size designation indicated on the label, within the limits prescribed herein. It may be modified with respect to body or texture, or to reduce capillarity, and may be suitably bleached. It may be impregnated or treated with a suitable coating, softening, or antimicrobial agent. It may be colored by a color additive approved by the FDA.