Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) € in Millions							12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2016 shares	Dec. 30, 2016 EUR (€)	May 12, 2016	Sep. 21, 2015 shares	Jun. 12, 2014	Nov. 02, 2009	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Jan. 08, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Oct. 25, 2013
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of contingent consideration							$ 1,084,000	$ 10,637,000
Liability or related charge recorded for legal contingencies							0
Operating leases, rent expense								1,200,000
Corporate offices
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease, lease not yet commenced						5 years
Operating lease, renew option period					3 years
Operating lease, lease not yet commenced, term of contract									18 months
Operating lease agreement period						5 years
Warehouse
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease additional renewed period											6 years
Operating leases, rent expense							1,400,000	1,200,000
Senhance Surgical Robotic System Acquisition
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of contingent consideration							10,600,000
Common shares issued | shares				1,195,647
Senhance Surgical Robotic System Acquisition | License and Supply Agreements
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Commitments under agreements, in 2020							5,500,000
Commitments under agreements, in 2021							600,000
Commitments under agreements, in 2022							600,000
Commitments under agreements, in 2023							600,000
Commitments under agreements, in 2024							600,000
Commitments until termination in 2027							1,100,000
Senhance Surgical Robotic System Acquisition | Second Tranche
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of contingent consideration | €		€ 5.0
Common shares issued | shares	286,360
Contingent consideration related to acquisition | €		€ 5.0
TransEnterix Italia | Research and Development and Demonstration Facilities
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease agreement period			6 years
Level 3
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of contingent consideration							1,084,000	10,637,000
Contingent Consideration
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Fair value, contingent consideration							$ 1,084,000	$ 10,637,000		$ 12,418,000