Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
Last updated
This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
Stevens tenotomy scissors are small, nonpowered, hand-held surgical scissors that manufacturers list under two different FDA product codes: one for general surgery and one for ophthalmic use. This guide sets out the variants, lengths and regulatory classification shown in public FDA records, for clinic staff, buyers and students who need to read a product listing correctly.
What Stevens tenotomy scissors are
In the FDA Global UDI Database (GUDID), queried through openFDA on 2026-10-30, 641 device records match “Stevens”, “tenotomy” and “scissors”. Each is a hand-held cutting instrument with two hinged blades, described by the maker as straight or curved, blunt-tipped or sharp-tipped, with ring or ribbon handles. The records are manufacturer-supplied descriptions, not a standard: no single dimensioned definition stands behind the name.
The product codes in these records place the instrument in two categories, general surgery and ophthalmic surgery (see the classification section below).
How they are built
Records describe a pair of hinged blades with finger rings or a flat “ribbon” handle. Blade materials and finishes named in the records include stainless steel, tungsten carbide, ceramic coating (CERA-CUT) and black “Power Cut” finishes. Several makers use the terms “SuperCut” or “Superior-Cut” for blade edge styles; these are brand terms, and the records give no common definition.
Types and variants
The table gives one example record per variant from the first 100 GUDID results (manufacturer description summarised).
| Variant | Typical listing wording | Example record (GUDID) |
|---|---|---|
| Straight, blunt | “straight, blunt” | Gimmi: straight, blunt, length 110 mm |
| Curved, blunt | “curved blades, blunt tips, ring handle” | Ambler Surgical: 4 1/8″, curved blades, blunt tips, ring handle |
| Straight, sharp | “straight, sharp” | Bear-Ent: 10.0 cm, straight, sharp |
| Curved, sharp-sharp | “Curved, Sharp-Sharp” | Integra Miltex: 4-1/2″, SuperCut, curved, sharp-sharp |
| Ribbon handle | “ribbon type” | BR Surgical: 3 3/4″, straight, blunt/blunt, ribbon type |
| Ceramic coated | “CERA-CUT” | RZ Medizintechnik: CERA-CUT, curved, blunt, 150 mm (6″) |
| Tungsten carbide | “tungsten carbide” | Peak Medical: 4 1/2″ (11.4 cm), straight, tungsten carbide |
| Stevens-Stille form | “Stevens-Stille … Diamond SuperCut” | Stille AB: curved, 18 cm (7 in) |
Sizes that appear in listings
| Overall length | Example record (GUDID) |
|---|---|
| 3-3/4″ (98 mm) | MSI Precision Specialty Instruments: curved, heavy model, blunt tips, ribbon-style ring handle |
| 4″ (10 cm) | RZ Medizintechnik: Super-Cut, straight, blunt |
| 4-1/4″ (10.8 cm) | V. Mueller (Steris): Affinity, curved |
| 4-1/2″ (114 mm) | Van Sickle: curved, supercut |
| 5″ (125 mm) | RZ Medizintechnik: Super-Cut, straight, blunt, round model |
| 5-1/2″ | Ambler Surgical: curved, double-beveled Superior-Cut blades, blunt tips |
| 6″ (150 mm) | RZ Medizintechnik: CERA-CUT, curved, blunt |
| 7″ overall | Elmed: curved blades, blunt tips, ring handle, stainless steel |
Lengths in these records run from about 10 cm to 18 cm. Because the name is not tied to one dimension, read the length from the specific listing.
FDA classification: two product codes for one name
Of the first 100 GUDID records, 60 carry product code LRW (“Scissors, General, Surgical”) and 37 carry HNF (“Scissors, Ophthalmic”); two carry EGN and one KBD. Checked against openFDA classification data and the CFR on 2026-10-30:
- LRW: Class I, 21 CFR 878.4800, “Manual surgical instrument for general use”, defined as a nonpowered, hand-held or hand-manipulated device, reusable or disposable, intended for various general surgical procedures. Class I devices are exempt from premarket notification, subject to the limits in 21 CFR 878.9 (text of 878.4800).
- HNF: Class I, 21 CFR 886.4350, “Manual ophthalmic surgical instrument”, a nonpowered, handheld device intended to aid or perform ophthalmic surgical procedures, with the same exemption subject to the limits in 21 CFR 886.9 (text of 886.4350).
The same instrument name therefore sits under different regulations depending on how the maker registered it. The product code is shown in the GUDID record, not in the catalogue name.
What a product listing states
Listings in the records typically state the length, straight or curved blades, blunt or sharp tips, handle style, and whether the record is flagged single-use. In the sample, 5 of 100 records are flagged single-use (for example Novo Surgical, 4 1/2″ tungsten carbide); the others are not. The manufacturer’s instructions for use for the specific product are the reference, because no public standard fixes these features under the Stevens name.
Safe use and handling basics
Use, cleaning and sterilization of a reusable instrument are set by the manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFU) for that product; follow the IFU and your facility’s reprocessing policy. Single-use items are not reprocessed. This page does not describe procedures.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the scissors with the Stevens tenotomy hook. GUDID lists the hook under product code HNQ (“Hook, Ophthalmic”), a different device from the scissors.
- Assuming one “Stevens” size or tip type. The records show lengths from 3-3/4″ to 7″ and both blunt and sharp tips.
- Assuming every record is reusable. Some records carry the single-use flag.
FAQ
What are Stevens tenotomy scissors?
Small nonpowered hand-held surgical scissors, listed by makers as straight or curved with blunt or sharp tips, registered with FDA under general-surgery (LRW) or ophthalmic (HNF) product codes.
Are they a regulated medical device?
Yes. Both product codes are Class I under 21 CFR 878.4800 or 886.4350, exempt from premarket notification subject to the limits in those regulations.
How long are they?
Listed lengths range from about 10 cm to 18 cm, with 4-1/2″ (about 11.4 cm) appearing often in the records.
Related CASRAI guides
See types of surgical scissors, dissecting scissors, Kelly scissors, Metzenbaum vs Mayo scissors and the Castroviejo needle holder.
Sources
All checked 2026-10-30.
- FDA Global UDI Database (GUDID) via openFDA, device/udi endpoint (first 100 of 641 matching records; manufacturer descriptions): https://api.fda.gov/device/udi.json
- openFDA device classification, product codes LRW, HNF and HNQ: https://api.fda.gov/device/classification.json
- 21 CFR 878.4800, Cornell LII: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/878.4800
- 21 CFR 886.4350, Cornell LII: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/886.4350
