Objective To explore the application effect of a navigation nursing program in the management of postoperative pulmonary complications （PPCs） in gastric cancer patients. Methods A total of 176 gastric cancer patients receiving routine nursing from January to March 2019 were regarded as a control group, and their 238 counterparts receiving a respiratory training navigation nursing program from October to December 2021 were taken as a navigation group.The incidence of PPCs in the two groups were assessed and compared. Results The incidence of postoperative respiratory system infection in the navigation group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and its length of postoperative hospitalization was significantly shorter than that of the control group （both P＜0.05）. Conclusion The respiratory training navigation nursing program is conducive to reducing the incidence of postoperative respiratory system infection in patients with gastric cancer, and promoting their rehabilitation.