In seventeen cases of chronic fecal impaction in children the main symptoms were severe constipation, pain and bleeding on defecation, soiling of the underpants, and anxiety. The main findings were large impactions in the rectum, minor injuries of the anal canal, some degree of patulous anus and soiling of the perianal skin. Good results were obtained in all cases with treatment that included giving dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate and flavored petrolatum, attention to diet, encouragement of the patient and advice to the parents.