Exhibit 23.1

                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on
Form S-8 Nos. 33-50900, 33-96172, and 333-68700 pertaining to the Orthofix
International N.V. Staff Share Option Plan and the Orthofix International N.V.
Executive Share Option Plan, on Form S-8 No. 33-96066 pertaining to the 1983
Incentive Stock Option Plan of Orthofix International N.V., 1990 Incentive Plan
and Orthofix Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, on Form S-8 No. 333-107537
pertaining to the Orthofix International N.V. Staff Share Option Plan and
Orthofix Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan and on Form S-8 No. 333-5932
pertaining to the Orthofix International N.V. Staff Share Option Plan of our
report dated March 5, 2004, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and financial statement schedule of Orthofix International N.V. as of
and for the two years ended December 31, 2003, and of our reports dated June 7,
2002 with respect to our audits of the consolidated statements of operations,
shareholders' equity and cash flows of Novamedix Distribution Limited and Inter
Medical Supplies Limited for the year ended December 31, 2001 included in the
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2003.


                                                /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Charlotte, North Carolina
March 10, 2004