“…Visceral motility disorders of the oesophagus, stomach and small and large intestines are commonly associated with critically ill patients and those undergoing sedation, general anaesthesia and operative procedures (Galatos & Raptopoulos 1995a, Galatos & Raptopoulos 1995b, De Miguel Garcia et al 2013, Whitehead et al 2016, Anagnostou et al 2017, Torrente et al 2017. Complications seen in patients with abnormal motility include aspiration pneumonia, oesophagitis and increased risk of bacterial translocation and sepsis, all of which are significant morbidities that can lead to increased length of hospital stay and treatment costs, and may result in patient mortality (Pearson et al 1978, Cotton & Smith 1984, Harai et al 1995, Leib et al 2001, Adamama-Moraitou et al 2002, Adami et al 2011, Whitehead et al 2016).…”