A suction-based medical dressing assembly and method of dermal irrigation provides a flexible tube that is fluidly coupled to at least two bifurcated tube portions defined by a plurality of apertures. The tube has a proximal end opening for discharging ambient fluid. The length of the bifurcated tube portions is surrounded by an absorbent gauze material covered substantially with an occlusive sheet material, and having an adhesive strip thereon. A vacuum assembly creates a negative pressure in the tubes. The ambient fluid is absorbed by the absorbent material, and the negative pressure sucks the fluid through the apertures in the bifurcated tube portions for discharge through the opening in the tube. In operation, a patient applies the adhesive side of the occlusive device to the skin where liquid removal is desired and activates the vacuum-inducing source, thereby causing fluid runoff from the patient to be effectively removed for disposal.
