ACQUISITIONS, DIVESTITURE AND PRO FORMA RESULTS (Schedule of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 24, 2017	Feb. 14, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Intangible assets:
Goodwill			$ 926,475	$ 937,905	$ 510,571
Codman
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Inventory		$ 74,962
Assets held for sale		30,813
Other current assets		8,202
Property, plant and equipment		41,339
Intangible assets:
Goodwill		342,322
Total assets acquired		1,035,738
Accrued expenses		1,730
Pension liabilities		19,917
Net assets acquired		1,014,091
Codman | Completed technology
Intangible assets:
Intangible assets		$ 375,200
Wtd. Avg. Life		22 years
Codman | Trade name
Intangible assets:
Codman corporate trade name		$ 162,900
Derma Sciences
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 16,512
Short-term investments	19,238
Accounts receivable	8,949
Inventory	17,977
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,369
Property, plant and equipment	4,311
Intangible assets:
Goodwill	73,765
Deferred tax assets	14,524		$ 14,500
Other assets	101
Total assets acquired	263,426
Accounts payable	4,560
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	7,409
Contingent liability	37,174
Other liabilities	3,805
Net assets acquired	210,478
Derma Sciences | Completed technology
Intangible assets:
Intangible assets	$ 11,600
Wtd. Avg. Life	14 years
Derma Sciences | Customer relationship
Intangible assets:
Intangible assets	$ 78,300
Wtd. Avg. Life	14 years
Derma Sciences | Trademarks/brand names
Intangible assets:
Intangible assets	$ 13,500
Wtd. Avg. Life	15 years
Derma Sciences | Non-compete agreement
Intangible assets:
Intangible assets	$ 280
Wtd. Avg. Life	1 year