Clinical lancing is a procedure used to evacuate non-beneficial subcutaneous fluid accumulations, such as pustules or boils

Boil

A boil, also called a furuncle, is a deep folliculitis, infection of the hair follicle. It is always caused by infection by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, resulting in a painful swollen area on the skin caused by an accumulation of pus and dead tissue...

, if they remain in place once they have finished sequestering fluid from the surrounding areas, using a sterilised needle. Incision and drainage

Incision and drainage

Incision and drainage and clinical lancing are minor surgical procedures to release pus or pressure built up under the skin, such as from an abscess, boil, or infected paranasal sinus...

is a more general term for lancing that also covers the use of an incising scalpel.