A tissue closure treatment system (2) and method are provided with an externalpatient interface. A first fluid transfer component (FTC.1) comprises a stripof porous material, such as rayon, with liquid wicking properties. (FTC.1) canbe placed directly on a suture line (8) for transferring fluid exudedtherethrough. An underdrape (20) is placed over (FTC.1) and includes a slot(20a) exposing a portion of same. (FTC.2) comprises a suitable hydrophobicfoam material, such as polyurethane ether, and is placed over the underdrapeslot (20a) in communication with (FTC.1). Negative pressure is applied to(FTC.2) through a connecting fluid transfer component (FTC.3). A negativepressure source (28) can comprises a manual device or a power-operated suctiondevice. The tissue closure method includes a manual operating mode using amanual suction device with an automatic shut off for discontinuing suctionwhen a predetermined volume of fluid has been drained.
