[Clinical use of the serum level of immuno-suppressive acidic protein (IAP) in gastroenterological surgery].

: Between September, 1981 and August, 1982, the IAP serum levels were measured in 151 patients to evaluate the correlation between these levels and the clinical spectrum. Pre- and postoperative IAP levels were also compared with the hospital course. Abnormally high IAP levels (greater than 450 micrograms/ml) were observed in malignant diseases, especially in patients with cancer of the pancreas, choledochus, gall-bladder, and esophagus. Of 193 patients, 81 revealed abnormal levels; 28 of these (34.6%) died during this study. The average of their survival time was 2.7 months. Nine of 81 patients (11.1%) experienced severe complications, but recovered. On the other hand, 112 patients with normal IAP levels had a relatively good hospital course; 9 (8%) died. None of the 112 patients experienced any complications. These results suggest that the IAP level may be a good tool in predicting clinical features and prognoses.