Background Problems related to inadequate oxygen or ventilation remain an important issue regarding anesthesia care, representing more than 30% of primary airway complications in both North America and United Kingdom. Several guidelines have been proposed since the early 1990's. Although they have had important effects on patient's outcome and survival, it is difficult to identify the optimal guideline. This project prospectively evaluated the success rate of a simple intubation management algorithm with costless and low learning curve equipment.Methods this study included all adult patients (18 years or older) who underwent induction of elective general anesthesia performed by the researchers. A total of 293 patients were included. Their ASA physical status ranged from 1 to 4. After induction of general anesthesia and confirmation of adequate ventilation the algorithm was followed. If ventilation with face mask was impossible or oxygen saturation reached below 90%, the protocol was interrupted. The algorithm was centered on the use of McCoy laryngoscope, "backward, upward and right upward and rightward pressure" BURP maneuver and bougie. All patients were evaluated before the induction of anesthesia. The following characteristics were noted: age, sex, dental status (good, regular and poor, defined by the patients themselves), Mallampati index, personal history of apnea or snoring, mouth opening (mm), body mass index (m2/kg), cervical circumference (cm), previous history of difficult airway, thyromental distance and previous treatment with cervical radiation.Results all patients were successfully intubated following the algorithm.Conclusions this algorithm, centered on the use of McCoy laryngoscope, BURP maneuver and bougie, was able to be used successfully in patients of daily practice with a high success rate.