Metoclopramide or placebo was administered postoperatively in a randomized, double-blind fashion to 115 patients undergoing laparotomy. The effect of metoclopramide on postoperative adynamic ileus (PAI) was evaluated. The patients were stratified into two groups: Group A--those with laparotomy without a gastrointestinal anastomosis or ostomy procedure, and group B--those with laparotomy undergoing an anastomosis or ostomy procedure. Metoclopramide reduced nausea and emesis postoperatively. However, the only significant effect on postoperative adynamic ileus was an earlier return to tolerance of solid foods in the patients in Group A.