The aim of this study was to analyze the indications and type of surgery to be performed in patients suffering from the more common gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumours. The different patterns of tumour spread are considered (local, locoregional and metastatic disease) along with the indications according to three main objectives, namely, identification of the disease, cure and care. The surgical procedures of choice in relation to the different tumour subtypes are also analyzed, and the main controversies relating to cytoreductive surgery are discussed.