ObjectiveTo investigate the optimal time and early activity level of first postoperative off-bed activity in patients with liver cancer undergoing open surgery. MethodsA total of 152 liver cancer patients undergoing open surgery were divided into four groups: group A1 (n=36), patients got out of bed and carried out activity with low level on the second day after operation, and carried out activity with medium level on the third day; group A2 (n=40), patients got out of bed and carried out activity with medium level on the second day after operation; group B1 (n=39), patients got out of bed and carried out activity with low level on the first day after operation, and carried out activity with low to medium level on the second and third day; in addition, group B2 (n=37), patients got out of bed and carried out activity with low level on the first day after operation, and carried out activity with medium level on the second day. Postoperative intestinal function recovery, length of hospital stay, and Quality of Recovery-40 Questionnaire (QoR-40) score were compared between patients of the four groups. ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference in postoperative bowel sound recovery time and postoperative length of hospital stay between the four groups (P>0.05). Group A1 exhibited longer postoperative anal exhaust time as compared with the other 3 groups, and severe abdominal distension as compared with groups B1 and B2 (P<0.05). Groups A2 and B2 interpreted higher scores of physical comfort dimension, emotional status dimension, pain dimension, and self-care ability dimension, as well as total score of QoR-40 as compared with groups A1 and B1, and group B1 yielded a higher score of self-care ability dimension as compared with group A1 (P<0.05). ConclusionFor patients with liver cancer undergoing open surgery, as long as the condition permits, carrying out off-bed activity on the first day after operation or carrying out off-bed activity reaching medium level on the second day after operation is beneficial to their postoperative recovery.