[Medico-psychological treatment of retentive encopresis]

A 'behavioral pediatric' approach applied to the treatment of children with chronic retentive encopresis is reported. The treatment program, based on behavioral psychological principles, in which the parents participate, is found to be highly effective in eliminating the problem of encopresis. However, it will be shown through casuistry that general psychological functioning in children can affect the course of the therapeutic process. Both 'somatic' attitudes and psychological obstacles need to be taken into account. Unbiased diagnostics and more differentiated therapeutic indications are necessary conditions for a favourable outcome of treatment.