Herbal medicine for the management of postoperative pain: A protocol for the systematic review of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain is caused by surgical trauma and poses a significant challenge for health care providers. Opioid analgesics are commonly used to control postoperative pain. However, these drugs are associated with a number of negative side effects. This review will assess the clinical evidence for and against the use of herbal medicine formulas as a treatment for postoperative pain, especially after musculoskeletal surgery. METHODS: Twelve databases will be searched from inception to March 2019. We will include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing herbal medicine decoctions used to treat any type of postoperative pain. All RCTs of decoctions or modified decoctions will be included. The methodologic qualities of the RCTs will be assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessing risk of bias, while confidence in the cumulative evidence will be evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method. CONCLUSION: This systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated electronically and in print. The review will be updated to inform and guide health care practices. Registration number: CRD42018094897