Segment Information (Sales And Other Financial Information By Business Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Net sales	$ 3,241	$ 2,955
Segment operating income	591	556
Amortization of purchased intangible assets	(102)	(88)
Orthopaedics
Net sales	1,216	1,135
MedSurg
Net sales	1,427	1,305
Neurotechnology and Spine
Net sales	598	515
Operating Segments
Net sales	3,241	2,955
Segment operating income	908	816
Operating Segments \| Orthopaedics
Net sales	1,216	1,135
Segment operating income	429	393
Operating Segments \| MedSurg
Net sales	1,427	1,305
Segment operating income	301	284
Operating Segments \| Neurotechnology and Spine
Net sales	598	515
Segment operating income	178	139
Corporate and other
Segment operating income	(99)	(99)
Segment Reconciling Items
Acquisition and integration-related charges	(17)	(9)
Amortization of purchased intangible assets	(102)	(88)
Restructuring-related and other charges	(63)	(38)
Rejuvenate and other recall-related matters	(4)	(26)
Regulator and legal matters	$ (32)	$ 0

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Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

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