Commitments and contingent liabilities (Detail) $ in Thousands, ¥ in Millions					9 Months Ended
	Oct. 18, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 24, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 24, 2017 CNY (¥)	Dec. 05, 2014 USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated litigation liability					$ 8,600
Accrued expenses					$ 88,095	$ 65,149
Minimum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated time fram over which accrued amounts may be paid out					15 years
Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated time fram over which accrued amounts may be paid out					20 years
Accrued Liabilities
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrual for environmental loss contingencies					$ 1,100
Other Liability
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrual for environmental loss contingencies					5,800
Discontinued Operations
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated litigation liability					5,000
Distributor vs Teleflex Medical Trading Company, Ltd.
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages sought		$ 7,500	¥ 51.2
Distributor vs Teleflex Medical Trading Company, Ltd. Repurchase of Inventory
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages sought		14,400	97.5
Teleflex Medical Trading Company, Ltd. vs Distributor - Outstanding Receivables
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages sought		$ 9,000	¥ 61.2
Parish of Calcasieu
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrued expenses					$ 5,000
Compensatory Damages | Judicial Ruling | Parish of Calcasieu
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages awarded				$ 100
Punitive Damages | Judicial Ruling | Parish of Calcasieu
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages awarded				$ 23,000
Subsequent Event | Punitive Damages | Settled Litigation [Member] | Parish of Calcasieu
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages awarded	$ 4,300