This is an operation were a diseased rectum and anus are removed leaving the patient with a scar where the anus used to be and a permanent end colostomy on the tummy with a bag for collection of faecal material.  Can also be called APE (abdomino-perineal excision).  The operation is so called because the surgeon operates partly through the front of the tummy (abdomen) and partly through the perineum (the part of the body encompassing the vulva or scrotum, the anus and the coccyx bone) to remove the anorectal excision specimen.