I'm curious what do surgeons do with the appendix after an appendectomy?

Send it to Pathology: When the appendix is removed, it is submitted to pathology for an exact diagnosis. Most commonly, appendicitis (infection or inflammation of the appendix) is found. Less commonly, a tumor might be revealed. Sometimes the appendix is totally normal.

Appendix: The appendix is sent to the Pathology lab in the hospital, to be examined microscopically. pathologic exam can confirm the presence of inflammation (or find other problems, or sometimes find that the appendix was not inflamed). The appendix is fixed in formalin, sectioned, and part of it is processed to make slides, which are then reviewed by an MD. The remaining portion is eventually disposed.