Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders Correlate with Intracranial Bleeding, Opioid Use, and Brainstem Edema in Neurosurgical Patients.

Significant correlation was registered between brainstem edema, gastrointestinal dysmotility, and opioids. CNS bleeding was the most important single factor influencing GI dysmotility. Further studies with opioid and nonopioid sedation may distinguish the influence of acute brain lesions versus drugs on GI dysmotility.