Acquisition of ALF-X Surgical Robotic System - Additional Information (Detail)		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 21, 2015 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 21, 2015 EUR (€)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Securities consideration held in escrow percentage	10.00%
Escrow and security interest period	24 months
Intellectual property, net		$ 46,898,000				$ 2,241,000				$ 46,898,000	$ 2,241,000
Legal, consulting and other costs related to acquisition		228,000	$ 4,003,000							4,231,000
Revenues						134,000	$ 61,000	$ 113,000	$ 93,000		401,000	$ 1,431,000
Net loss		13,579,000	$ 13,901,000	$ 9,348,000	$ 10,120,000	$ 8,079,000	$ 11,507,000	$ 10,587,000	$ 7,479,000	$ 46,948,000	$ 37,652,000	$ 28,358,000
Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization period										7 years
Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization period										10 years
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Common shares issued | shares	15,543,413
Cash consideration	$ 25,000,000
Acquisition agreement, description										The Lock-up Agreement provides that SOFAR may sell, transfer or convey (i) no more than 50% of the Securities Consideration during the period commencing on the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the eighteen-month anniversary of the Closing Date; and (ii) no more than 75% of the Securities Consideration during the period commencing on the eighteen-month anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the two-year anniversary of the Closing Date.
Intellectual property, net	$ 48,500,000
Amortization period	7 years
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Ending on Eighteen Month Anniversary [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of securities consideration	50.00%
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Ending on Two Year Anniversary [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of securities consideration	75.00%
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | U.S. Dollars [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration	$ 25,000,000
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | Euro [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration payable | €													€ 27,500,000
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | First Tranche [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration	25,000,000
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | Third Tranche [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration payable | €													15,000,000
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | Third Tranche [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Target revenue to be achieved | €													25,000,000
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | Fourth Tranche [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration payable | €													2,500,000
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | Second Tranche [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration payable | €													€ 10,000,000
Gross proceeds from financing	$ 50,000,000
Interest rate	9.00%												9.00%
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | Second Tranche [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash on hand	$ 50,000,000
TransEnterix Italia [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Membership interests percentage under Security agreement	10.00%												10.00%
Legal, consulting and other costs related to acquisition										$ 4,200,000
Revenues		0
Net loss		$ 2,500,000