Editing Assimilation (section)

== Complications ==
Successful liberation of an assimilated drone depended largely on the relation between the period of time spent as a drone versus time spent as an individual. Adults and children who were assimilated for only a short time were often easily reintegrated back into their old lives following disconnection from the hive mind. However, drones that had spent the majority of their lives within the Collective resisted the very notion that they were better off as individuals, and could retain an admiration for aspects of [[Borg Philosophy]]. Such drones could feel small or lonely without the voices of the entire Collective in their thoughts. 

In either case, the psychological impact of recovering one's individuality; and thus, the ability to feel the trauma of assimilation and the guilt of one's association with the Borg's atrocities, could be monumental. 

From a medical standpoint, there were many risks in leaving the Borg Collective, primarily when the implants ceased to suppress the immune system and the body's organs began rejecting implants that have been given sole dominion over vital functions. The extraction of these implants could be challenging even for a skilled surgeon. One known type of complication occurred when deactivated microscopic implants become lodged against one of the cranial nerves. Even after the successful removal of the cybernetics, the liberated drone might not have had access to medical technology that was sufficiently advanced to replace whatever body parts were amputated during assimilation. Certain implants, such as the [[Cortical Node]], [[Ocular Implant]], and [[Assimilation Tubule]]s, could not be safely removed by Federation medicine as of 2378.