Activity Under Employee Stock Plans (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2013	Mar. 29, 2013	Feb. 29, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum payout of shares that could be issued for each performance unit granted		1.5
Shares counted against the available for grant			2.5
Closing price of VMS common stock	$ 72
Third Amended and Restated 2005 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares counted against the available for grant		2.6	2.6