Segment Information (Sales And Other Financial Information By Business Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 3,587	$ 3,242	$ 10,753	$ 9,805
Segment operating income	628	576	1,769	1,839
Acquisition and integration-related charges	(32)	(8)	(223)	(49)
Amortization of intangible assets	(116)	(112)	(352)	(324)
Recall-related matters	(49)	(4)	(179)	(10)
Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,262	1,171	3,785	3,615
MedSurg
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,576	1,443	4,737	4,325
Neurotechnology and Spine
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	749	628	2,231	1,865
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	3,587	3,242	10,753	9,805
Segment operating income	1,030	911	3,109	2,763
Operating Segments \| Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,262	1,171	3,785	3,615
Segment operating income	437	397	1,322	1,263
Operating Segments \| MedSurg
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,576	1,443	4,737	4,325
Segment operating income	389	341	1,170	968
Operating Segments \| Neurotechnology and Spine
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	749	628	2,231	1,865
Segment operating income	204	173	617	532
Corporate and other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment operating income	(117)	(104)	(371)	(291)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Acquisition and integration-related charges	(32)	(8)	(223)	(49)
Amortization of intangible assets	(116)	(112)	(352)	(324)
Restructuring-related charges	(48)	(39)	(146)	(124)
Medical device regulations	(15)	(2)	(34)	(5)
Recall-related matters	(49)	(4)	(179)	(10)
Regulatory and legal matters	$ (25)	$ (66)	$ (35)	$ (121)

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