21 CFR 878.4800
Manual surgical instrument for general use
21 CFR 878.4800 is the regulation titled “Manual surgical instrument for general use” in 21 CFR Part 878, General and Plastic Surgery Devices. Since 2021, 1 FDA warning letter has cited it.
- Letters citing it
- 1 since 2021
- Jan 1 to Oct 30, 2026
- 0 against 0 on the same dates in 2025
- Most often cited with
- 21 CFR 3.2, in 1 letter
- Closed out
- 0% of these letters have a published close-out
Letters citing it, by year issued
It is a medical device letter. 2026 runs to Oct 30, 2026. Pick a year to see its letters.
- 12021
- 02022
- 02023
- 02024
- 02025
- 02026
The regulation
Read the text of 21 CFR 878.4800 (eCFR, as of Sep 1, 2026)
(a) Identification. A manual surgical instrument for general use is a nonpowered, hand-held, or hand manipulated device, either reusable or disposable, intended to be used in various general surgical procedures. The device includes the applicator, clip applier, biopsy brush, manual dermabrasion brush, scrub brush, cannula, ligature carrier, chisel, clamp, contractor, curette, cutter, dissector, elevator, skin graft expander, file, forceps, gouge, instrument guide, needle guide, hammer, hemostat, amputation hook, ligature passing and knot-tying instrument, knife, mallet, disposable or reusable aspiration and injection needle, disposable or reusable suturing needle, osteotome, pliers, rasp, retainer, retractor, saw, scalpel blade, scalpel handle, one-piece scalpel, snare, spatula, stapler, disposable or reusable stripper, stylet, suturing apparatus for the stomach and intestine, measuring tape, and calipers. A surgical instrument that has specialized uses in a specific medical specialty is classified in separate regulations in parts 868 through 892 of this chapter.
(b) Classification. Class I (general controls). The device is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter, subject to the limitations in § 878.9.
[53 FR 23872, June 24, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 13828, Apr. 5, 1989; 59 FR 63010, Dec. 7, 1994; 66 FR 38803, July 25, 2001; 86 FR 56204, Oct. 8, 2021; 86 FR 66188, Nov. 22, 2021]
Text from eCFR as of Sep 1, 2026.
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