Power control algorithms are an important consideration in mobile ad hoc networks since they can improve network capacity and lifetime. Existing power control approaches in ad hoc network basically use deterministic or probabilistic techniques to build network topology that satisfy certain criteria (cost metrics), such as preserving network connectivity, minimizing interference or securing QoS constraints. In this paper, we will provide a survey of the various approaches to deal with power control management in mobile ad-hoc wireless networks. We will classify these approaches into five main approaches: (a) Node-Degree Constrained Approach, (b) Location Information Based Approach, (c) Graph Theory Approach, (d) Game Theory Approach and (e) Multi-Parameter Optimization Approach. We will also focus on an adaptive distributed power management (DISPOW) algorithm as an example of the multi-parameter optimization approach which manages the transmit power of nodes in a wireless ad hoc network to preserve network connectivity and cooperatively reduce interference. We will show that the algorithm in a distributed manner builds a unique stable network topology tailored to its surrounding node density and propagation environment over random topologies in a dynamic mobile wireless channel.