The evidence framework of traditional Chinese medicine injection (Aidi injection) in controlling malignant pleural effusion: A clustered systematic review and meta-analysis

•Aidi injection, a pleurodesis agent, plays an interesting clinical role, which shows a similar clinical response on DDP alone in controlling MPE.•Among several perfusion regimens, Aiidi plus DDP is a most commonly used, which shows a significant improvement in clinical responses.•The perfusion with Aiidi (50 to 60 ml each time, once a week, and three to four times) plus DDP (20 to 30 mg or 40 to 50 mg per time each time) may be an optimum usage for achieving an ideal effectiveness.•The moderate to massive volume, KPS score (≥ 50) and AST (≥ 3 months) is possible optimum indications for Aidi and DDP perfusion.