The case is presented of a 27-year-old man who developed a basilar artery bifurcation embolus encompassing Hilal microcoil as a complication following therapeutic embolization. An immediate direct surgical approach to the basilar artery bifurcation enabled the microcoil and associated thrombus to be removed and flow to be restored in the basilar artery and its distal branches. Postoperatively, the patient made a good recovery and on discharge was neurologically normal with the exception of a right third nerve palsy. This case suggests that in selected patients a direct surgical approach to the top of the basilar artery may be possible for treatment of emboli.