The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of human recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-165) on peripheral nerve axonal sprouting and elongation following peripheral nerve injury and repair. Two-centimeter nerve gaps were created in rat peroneal nerves and repaired with either peripheral nerve autografts, acellular peripheral nerve isografts, or VEGF-165-treated acellular peripheral nerve isografts. Four months postoperatively, the peroneal nerves were harvested and histomorphometric analysis was performed. The reinnervated extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles were harvested and weighed.