Stasis dermatitis is a common disorder, which is a consequence of impaired venous drainage of the legs. It is characterized histologically by proliferation of small blood vessels in the papillary dermis. This neovascularization may lead occasionally to the formation of discrete papules due to inflammatory processes. In order to evaluate the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the acute phase of chronic venous insufficiency, we examined the production of MMP-1, -2, -13 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and -2 in lesional skin of stasis dermatitis. A total of 19 patients affected by stasis dermatitis were included in this experimental study. Polymerase chain reaction, western blot and immunohistochemical studies on tissue specimen were performed. In lesional skin of stasis dermatitis, there was elevated gene expression and immunoreactivity for MMP-1, -2 and -13 in comparison to healthy controls. In contrast, genexpression and immunoreactivity for TIMP-1 and -2 were diminished in stasis dermatitis in comparison with healthy controls. Overexpression and production of MMP-1, -2 and -13 without inhibitory effects could be the result of cytokine mediated induction. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may play an important role in the remodeling of lesional skin in stasis dermatitis.