Restructuring and other impairment charges - restructuring program (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges	$ 60,120	$ 14,790	$ 15,871
Asset impairment charges	19,110		43,356
Total restructuring and impairment charges	79,230		59,227
2016 Footprint realignment plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges	2,861	2,097	12,510
Other restructuring programs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges	2,266	1,997	147
2017 Vascular Solutions integration program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges		5,495
2017 EMEA restructuring program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges		5,201
Other 2016 restructuring programs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges			3,214
Termination benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges	57,812	13,316	13,230
Asset impairment charges	0		0
Total restructuring and impairment charges	57,812		13,230
Termination benefits | 2018 Footprint realignment plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges	53,992
Termination benefits | 2016 Footprint realignment plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges	2,318	1,314	11,176
Termination benefits | Other restructuring programs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges	1,502	1,704	(477)
Termination benefits | 2017 Vascular Solutions integration program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges		5,377
Termination benefits | 2017 EMEA restructuring program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges		4,921
Termination benefits | Other 2016 restructuring programs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges			2,531
Other Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges	2,308	1,474	2,641
Asset impairment charges	19,110		43,356
Total restructuring and impairment charges	21,418		45,997
Other Costs | 2018 Footprint realignment plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges	1,001
Other Costs | 2016 Footprint realignment plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges	543	783	1,334
Other Costs | Other restructuring programs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges	$ 764	293	624
Other Costs | 2017 Vascular Solutions integration program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges		118
Other Costs | 2017 EMEA restructuring program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges		$ 280
Other Costs | Other 2016 restructuring programs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges			$ 683