OBJECTIVES: The topicality of septic complications (SC) in early period after surgery reminds very high despite the antibiotic prophylaxis. The prediction of SC can be provided by ATA-test (DTE index) by the registration the structural and functional changes of serum albumin. METHODS: Prospective observational controlled study of typical practice for cancer patients. Inclusion criteria: cancer patients; age – over 18 years; major operations. Exclusion criteria: inflammation diseases during 3 months before surgery; extended operations on pancreas, liver and bile ducts; renal and/or hepatic failure. ATA-test was made ones a day during 7 days in patients without SC, 14 days – with SC. Data about direct medical costs was collected via medical charts. Analysis was performed with methods of descriptive statistic, parametric and non-parametric criteria. RESULTS: Data on 104 patients were obtained: 11 had SC. Ratio (male:female) was 1:1,4. Average age – 61.2±12.5 years. Average level DTE in first 2 hours after surgery in patients with SC was 15.4±7.2%, without SC -31.8±14%, in case SC it didn’t increase till normal meanings (40-175%) during 7 days. Direct medical cost of patient with SC – 8838$: 5352$ - cost for medicines, 1949$- hospitalization during 36.5 days (7.5 days in ICU), 1537$-medical services; without SC – 2992$: 534$-medicines, 1309$-hospitalization during 30 days (3 days in ICU), 1149$-medical services.   CONCLUSIONS: SC can be predicted by ATA-test (DTE index) in first hours after surgery. It provides economy in 10 times for medicines and in 3 times in common direct medical costs.